Tadej Pogacar’s bike revealed a surprising saddle detail

A covert inspection of Tadej Pogacar’s bike found no revolutionary equipment behind the Slovenian’s remarkable success. The only notable feature identified by Soudal-Quick Step mechanics was the position of his saddle, which appeared to sit unusually far back in relation to the bottom bracket.

The examination took place about two years ago during a training camp in Spain. Pogacar had visited his partner Urska Zigart, who was riding for the Belgian team’s women’s section. While the couple went to the sauna, four Soudal-Quick Step mechanics took the opportunity to examine the bike. They weighed it, measured its components and studied its setup in detail.

Their inspection produced no other striking discovery. The mechanics found neither exceptional technology nor evidence of a motor, leaving Pogacar’s dominance unexplained by the bike itself. The saddle setback was the sole technical detail that caught their attention, suggesting a distinctive position rather than a concealed performance aid.

The episode offers a small insight into how closely rival teams have examined the equipment of the world champion. It also underlines that, after checking the machine from multiple angles, Soudal-Quick Step’s staff did not uncover a mechanical secret capable of explaining Pogacar’s victories.