Domen Novak explains why comparing Paul Seixas to Tadej Pogacar is misleading
As teenage talents continue to shake up professional cycling, comparisons with Tadej Pogacar have become almost automatic. The latest rider attracting that kind of attention is 19-year-old Frenchman Paul Seixas, who impressed with a second place finish at Strade Bianche. But according to Pogacar’s long time teammate Domen Novak, the comparisons miss an important part of the story.
Novak addressed the comparisons in an interview with Siol before the start of Tirreno-Adriatico. The 30-year-old Slovenian has spent years riding alongside PogaÄŤar at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and is now among the more experienced domestiques in the peloton.
“When I turned 30 I started thinking that for a cyclist I am already a bit… well, I will not say old, but definitely more experienced,” he said. “The team trusts me, Tadej trusts me, and that is a big honor. I have been in the WorldTour for a long time and I am very happy with my role.”
Young riders are arriving earlier than ever and already competing at the highest level. The latest example is Frenchman Paul Seixas, who has quickly become one of the most talked about names in the sport.
“I think he will be very good,” Novak said. “Everyone compares him with Tadej and wants to put them side by side. At his age he is even better than Tadej was.”
Novak believes that comparison ignores how different PogaÄŤar's early career actually was.
“As far as I know Tadej, at that age he was not even going to altitude camps yet. He was racing for the team Gusto Ljubljana. You could say he won his first Tour while eating pizza, drinking beer and playing PlayStation.”
For Novak, that contrast says something about how professional cycling has changed.
“I think he [Pogačar] is simply a natural talent, while all these young riders coming now are already very polished. They spend a month at altitude camps and are away from home for long periods. Everything is very professional, which is great in one way.”
Still, he wonders how sustainable that approach will be. “These guys are already so wound up at 19 or 20 that I do not know if they will be able to keep racing until they are 30.”
For now, Novak’s focus quickly shifts to the first Monument of the season, Milan-San Remo, where Pogačar is still chasing one of the few major victories missing from his career.
“I always say a chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” Novak said. “In a race the whole team has to work, from the first rider to the last. Everyone going to Milan-San Remo is in very good shape, maybe even the best shape. From Tadej to me, who will start setting the tempo early, we are all ready.”
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