“We do not have a doping problem”: Tadej Pogačar’s agent opposes “stupid” plans to monitor riders’ power data, insisting cycling “now has credibility”

Alex Carera, agent to Tadej Pogačar, has publicly dismissed proposals to monitor riders' power data as "stupid," asserting that cycling currently enjoys "credibility" and does not suffer from a doping problem. Carera’s comments, reported by *road.cc*, directly oppose suggestions from figures like Marc Madiot, who recently advocated for greater transparency and scrutiny of rider performance metrics to combat potential doping. Carera insists such measures are unnecessary and detrimental to the sport’s current standing.

This stance from a prominent agent highlights a growing schism within the professional peloton regarding transparency and anti-doping measures. While some, often from the older guard, argue that historical issues necessitate ongoing, rigorous oversight, Carera’s position reflects a belief that the sport has fundamentally changed. Pogačar himself, a dominant figure, has faced implicit questions about his exceptional performances, making his agent's defence of the sport's integrity and opposition to further data monitoring particularly significant.

Ultimately, Carera’s dismissal of power data monitoring as "stupid" reveals a confidence, perhaps bordering on complacency, that the sport has truly turned a corner. Time, and indeed, data, will tell if that faith is well-placed.