The cycling world trembled when Peter Van Den Abeele accused Tadej Pogačar’s team of being the “invisible enemy” blocking his return to mountain terrain. The statement struck like thunder across social media.

Fans were stunned. The usually calm UCI official’s words hinted at internal conflicts deeper than anyone imagined. “Someone doesn’t want him there,” he said, sparking an online storm overnight.

Within hours, debates flared among journalists, riders, and fans. Some defended Pogačar’s integrity, while others believed a political shadow was manipulating decisions behind the closed doors of elite cycling.

Then came the twist. Veteran journalist Beppe Conti, known as Italy’s “media godfather,” revealed shocking information during a live broadcast that flipped the story upside down. His words electrified the audience instantly.

Conti claimed that Pogačar was not a victim but part of a grand design — a carefully planned operation to turn him into the undisputed new king of world cycling.

According to Conti, powerful figures in the sport had been crafting a long-term strategy. Sponsors, media networks, and managers were allegedly coordinating to build an empire around Pogačar’s dominance.

He hinted that the goal was not just sporting success but total market control — shaping fan perception, race outcomes, and even athlete narratives to maintain an era centered on one face.

The revelation triggered chaos online. Some fans accused Conti of sensationalism, while others said the puzzle finally made sense — every mysterious team move now seemed part of something bigger.

In a trembling voice, Pogačar later addressed the controversy. “I never asked for this,” he said. “All I ever wanted was to ride, to race, and to be free.”

Tears streamed down his face during the emotional interview. His vulnerability contrasted sharply with the ruthless power plays swirling around him, creating one of the most human moments in sports this year.

Cycling legends weighed in immediately. Some empathized with the young champion’s emotional turmoil; others warned that every superstar eventually becomes entangled in politics larger than their control.

Meanwhile, insiders whispered about contracts, hidden clauses, and sponsorship pressures. The more details surfaced, the clearer it became that cycling’s glamour hides layers of strategy, tension, and manipulation.

Van Den Abeele refused to retract his statement, standing firm on his belief that unseen forces were restricting Pogačar’s freedom to choose his races and riding styles. The tension kept escalating.

In Italy, Conti released a follow-up article claiming he had “documents and testimonies” proving his theory. He promised to unveil them soon, turning the drama into a full-blown investigation.

Sponsors and race organizers found themselves in crisis mode. Some issued public clarifications supporting Pogačar, while others remained silent, fueling even more rumors of internal disputes and power struggles.

Through it all, Pogačar continued training quietly, often spotted alone in the hills of Slovenia. Locals said he seemed lost in thought, perhaps questioning whom he could still trust.

The young champion’s story transformed from triumph to tragedy, then to resilience. Fans described him as both hero and prisoner — a symbol of talent trapped within a system hungry for control.

Analysts compared the saga to old tales of sport’s manipulation, drawing parallels to past controversies that forever changed cycling’s credibility. Yet Pogačar’s sincerity kept hope alive among his loyal followers.

As days passed, rumors spread that a documentary team had begun filming the scandal, capturing real-time reactions from journalists, officials, and fans as truth and lies blurred dangerously.

By week’s end, tension reached boiling point. Conti’s next revelation was said to “change everything.” The world waited as Pogačar’s eyes, full of pain and determination, stared straight into history.

His tears became a symbol of modern sport’s struggle — between purity and profit, heart and power. Whatever truth emerges next, one thing is certain: the cycling world will never be the same again.