At Tre Valli Varesine, Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogačar delivered a commanding solo victory that seemed to cement his dominance ahead of Il Lombardia. But within minutes of the finish, the cycling world erupted into chaos. A 40-second video began circulating online, showing what many claimed was an Italian TV motorbike giving Pogačar an aerodynamic advantage on a crucial descent — sparking accusations of “draft stealing.”
The footage, allegedly recorded by a fan, appeared to show Pogačar closely following a media motorbike as he descended one of the key hills in the final 20 kilometers. The proximity was enough, critics argued, to reduce air resistance and give the Slovenian a decisive edge over his rivals. “He’s smart, no doubt,” said former professional Tom Danielson in a fiery online post. “But he used that motorcycle’s draft perfectly to slingshot into the corner. That’s not race craft — that’s manipulation.”
Within hours, hashtags like #MotoAssist and #PogacarGate began trending across cycling social media communities. Fans were divided: some defended Pogačar, calling him “a genius at reading the race,” while others labeled the move “a disgrace to fair play.” Several journalists even pointed out that the same issue had been raised before in Italian races — where camera bikes often ride too close to the leaders.
The organizers of Tre Valli Varesine quickly issued a statement acknowledging the controversy. “We are reviewing the footage to ensure that all regulations were respected,” they wrote, though no official complaint had yet been filed. Still, the damage was done. The cycling forums were on fire, and speculation about possible sanctions spread like wildfire.
But the most shocking twist came when Pogačar himself responded. During a post-race interview, the usually composed champion appeared calm but visibly frustrated. “I don’t control where the motorbikes go,” he said. “If people want to believe I won because of wind, not legs, that’s their choice. I know what I did on the road today — and I know how hard I pushed.”
His words only deepened the drama. Some fans applauded his composure; others accused him of arrogance. “He didn’t deny it clearly,” one commenter noted. “He just deflected.” Meanwhile, footage of his explosive solo attack — a moment that had initially been praised as vintage Pogačar — was now being dissected frame by frame by amateur analysts online.
Several pro riders also chimed in anonymously, suggesting that such incidents are “common but rarely caught.” One even hinted that the UCI may need to step in before the next race weekend to clarify the rules about vehicle distances.
As the uproar continues, one thing is certain — Pogačar’s win at Tre Valli Varesine, which should have been another glorious chapter in his remarkable season, has instead become one of the most controversial moments of 2025. Whether he truly gained an unfair advantage or simply rode smarter than everyone else, the world of cycling is once again reminded that in modern racing, victory and scandal can ride side by side — often separated by just a few inches of air.
