In the latest episode of the Watts Occurring podcast, former teammates Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe discussed how much technological progress has shaped modern cycling and whether someone like Tadej Pogačar could still dominate using equipment from ten years ago.
Thomas kicked off the debate by asking, “How much difference do modern bikes make? Could Pogi win on an old bike?”
Rowe immediately emphasized how far the sport’s technology has come. “There’s a massive difference even between the bike you won the Tour on and the one Pogi used. The advances in the last five to eight years are huge. He wouldn’t win on a bike from ten years ago, or even five,” he said.
Thomas countered that Pogačar’s talent might still give him an edge regardless of equipment. “He’s got such a buffer now—it’d just make things more even,” he argued.
Rowe disagreed, saying endurance over a three-week race would make the difference. “After 21 days, it would catch up to him,” he noted.
Thomas then conceded that with outdated gear, Pogačar probably couldn’t overcome his biggest rival. “Yeah, I don’t think he’d beat Jonas with that old setup,” he admitted.
Rowe closed the discussion firmly: “The more you think about it, there’s no way. The technology’s just moved on too much.”
Be the first to comment