'We gave him the best option available' - Shimano mechanic responds to Pogacar's 'wheelbarrow' criticism

After the race, Pogačar’s comments of the replacement bike drew attention. “It felt very uncomfortable,” he said according to Het Laatste Nieuws. “The saddle height was not correct and the wheels were also not suitable for the cobbles”. He was even more direct in Slovenian, describing the bike as a “karjolo”, or "wheelbarrow". 

The mechanic who assisted him has since responded.

“He didn’t just have a puncture, there was probably another mechanical issue,” said Kévin Poret, Shimano’s head mechanic to Ouest France. “I offered him a bike in his size.”

Poret was part of the neutral service team positioned between groups when Pogačar stopped. The exchange was immediate, with one of the spare bikes taken from the car roof and handed over within seconds.

“I didn’t hesitate to give him what was best for him,” Poret said. “The world champion was able to set off again very quickly. We didn’t exchange a single word.”

According to Poret, speed of intervention is the priority in those situations. “The assistance was quick, for us that is the most important thing. We did our job.”

He also pointed to the level of preparation behind those interventions.

“All our bikes are carefully prepared, equipped with adjustable seatposts to fine tune the position if needed. We have detailed lists of pedals, drivetrains, axles and tyre pressures used by teams and their leaders.”

Pogačar rode the bike for several kilometres before switching back to his usual Colnago and continuing his race. He would go on to finish second in Roubaix behind Wout Van Aert.

It was not the first time Shimano’s neutral service proved decisive for Tadej Pogačar. During stage 11 of last year’s Tour de France, he crashed after contact with Tobias Halland Johannessen and lost his chain.

Poret also pointed to that earlier intervention.

“Last year, when he crashed after a corner, we helped him put his chain back on before his team car arrived,” he said. “Whether it’s the world champion or any other rider, it’s the same. We are there to make sure a rider with a problem can get going again. We trust our equipment.”