Tadej Pogačar is calling for greater respect from cycling fans after sharing a candid message on Strava describing a rather rude in-person encounter with a fan during today’s ride.
The four-time Tour de France winner posed what he described as an “honest question to all fans,” recounting a moment when he was approached for a photo while already engaged in conversation.
“If you find me in conversation with someone and you ask me for photo, I ask you to give me two minutes to finish talk. Do you wait 2 minutes or show me middle finger and take off angry?” Pogačar wrote. “Long day ended with losing biggest fan 😢”
While Pogačar did not provide specific details about the incident, the post’s tone suggested genuine frustration.
Pogačar is widely regarded as one of the peloton’s most approachable stars, regularly stopping for photos, autographs and brief chats with fans at races and training rides alike. His message, therefore, is more of a reminder than a complaint. Even the most fan-friendly riders expect basic courtesy.
Incidents involving roadside crowding, phones or signs held into riders’ paths, and over-eager fans running alongside racers have long been flashpoints in professional cycling. But they appear to be growing more frequent.
What’s more, off-the-bike interactions (or altercations) are increasingly part of the conversation as rider visibility rises beyond race environments.
A beloved aspect of cycling is the unusually close access fans have to the sport’s superstars compared to many other global sports. Informal interactions are part of its cultural fabric, but that proximity can blur boundaries.
While Pogačar’s post may have been born out of frustration, it was delivered with his trademark warmth toward supporters.
“…btw I love you all,” he wrote. “Heck I even like the fans that are not my supporters but don’t have attitude of spoiled teenager.”
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