Cycling legend Joaquim 'Purito' Rodríguez recently shared some eye-opening insights on his Puro Ciclismo Podcast that are sure to spark debate among fans. But here's where it gets controversial: Rodríguez boldly claims that Tadej Pogacar's dominance might be shaping the dynamics within the UAE team in ways we never expected. And this is the part most people miss—how Isaac Del Toro and Juan Ayuso are navigating this complex landscape.
Rodríguez didn’t hold back when discussing Pogacar’s unparalleled impact on modern cycling. He predicts, ‘Pogacar will retire at the absolute peak of his career. One day, he’ll simply decide to stop racing, and no one will be able to fill his shoes.’ It’s a bold statement, but it underscores just how transformative Pogacar has been.
When it comes to Del Toro, Rodríguez sees immense potential. ‘Del Toro is a superstar in the making,’ he asserts, though he acknowledges the challenges of thriving in Pogacar’s shadow. ‘Even with a separate racing calendar, he’ll always be the second leader. At the Tour de France, it’s Pogacar’s race.’ But what sets Del Toro apart, according to Rodríguez, is his work ethic. ‘When Del Toro has had to step up and work, he’s done it without hesitation—something Ayuso hasn’t consistently shown.’
This comparison between Del Toro and Ayuso is where things get heated. Rodríguez even suggests that UAE could potentially support two leaders, but he admits that personal ambition might complicate matters in the long run. ‘Can two alphas coexist? It’s possible, but history tells us it’s rarely smooth sailing.’
Rodríguez also dove into Pogacar’s training regimen, which he describes as nothing short of ‘outrageous.’ After analyzing a solo ride of over 130 kilometers at an average speed of 41 km/h and 300 normalized watts, Rodríguez was stunned. ‘This guy doesn’t stop. In my era, we prioritized structured training blocks and recovery. Pogacar’s approach is a whole new ballgame.’
Speaking of his own career, Rodríguez revealed that endurance didn’t come naturally to him. ‘I had to grind relentlessly to build my base. What I see today is riders pushing the limits of speed and endurance like never before.’
The conversation then shifted to Visma and Jonas Vingegaard, where Rodríguez offered two intriguing theories about Vingegaard’s coach leaving. ‘Either Vingegaard wasn’t keen on keeping him, or the pressure within the team became too much for the coach to handle.’ He warns, ‘When a powerhouse like Visma experiences instability, it’s a red flag. These changes won’t go unnoticed.’
On a lighter note, Rodríguez reminisced about his own physiological data as a pro after hearing about Wout van Aert’s resting heart rate dropping to 34 beats per minute. ‘I’ve hit 38 beats per minute while relaxed, but 34 seems extreme. One low reading doesn’t tell the whole story.’
The Clasica Jaen race and Maxim Van Gils’ crash also made it into the discussion. Rodríguez praised the race’s intensity, calling it ‘spectacular and brutal.’ Regarding Van Gils’ late save before the finish, he joked, ‘If that happened to me, I’d still be on the ground.’ On the sprint incident, he urged fans to exercise caution in their judgments. ‘Disqualifying the rider is fair, but some of the backlash has gone too far. We’re all human—crashes happen.’ He also highlighted the fragility of sprint finishes, noting, ‘A slight touch on the handlebars can end your race in an instant.’
Finally, Rodríguez tipped his hat to UAE’s dominant start to the season, with six different riders already securing victories. ‘Six riders capable of beating anyone in the peloton—that’s no small feat.’ With Del Toro’s UAE Tour win and Pogacar yet to kick off his campaign, the internal competition within UAE is as fierce as their on-road dominance.
Here’s the burning question: Can UAE sustain two leaders like Del Toro and Pogacar, or will personal ambition eventually tear them apart? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
