For the second straight year, Tadej Pogačar could not catch the field in his namesake event. The five-time Tour de France champion capped off a three-day fundraising festival for the Tadej Pogačar Foundation with the marquee “Pogi Challenge” climb up Krvavec, only to watch a German endurance athlete cross the line first — and six others follow him home ahead of the world champion.
According to official timing results, Frederik Niessen, a full-time coach and racer who also won this year’s Glocknerkönig Ultra in Austria, powered up the 12.2-kilometre ascent, which averages 8.3 percent, in 45:49. Pogačar, released well behind the 1,177-strong amateur field, finished in 49:51, 4 minutes 1 second behind Niessen.
Notably, Pogačar’s net climbing time — measured from when he actually crossed the start mat — was just 43:26, the fastest split of anyone in the field, yet well behind his reported record of around 31:00.
Six other amateurs beat him to the line: Andrea Calza, Miran Kovacic, Lorenzo Zumerle, Mitja Dovnik, Alexander Brandner, and former WorldTour pro Ryan Gibbons. UAE Team Emirates-XRG guest Pascal Ackermann finished well back in 13th place.
Niessen later posted his ride to Strava under the title “Winning the Pogi Challenge,” calling it the fulfilment of a lifelong goal and saying the heat and crowded early kilometres had cost him time before he settled into a steady rhythm.
Pogačar, who also won Friday’s criterium in Komenda, took the defeat in stride, smiling at the finish as the weekend raised funds for youth cycling development in his home region.
Riders Finishing Ahead of Pogačar:
1. Frederik Niessen (Austria) 45:49
2. Andrea Calza (Italy) 47:28
3. Miran Kovačič (Slovenia) 48:27
4. Lorenzo Zumerle (Italy) 48:36
5. Mitja Dovnik (Slovenia) 48:51
6. Alexander Brandner (Germany) 48:54
7. Ryan Gibbons (South Africa) 49:28
— Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia) 49:51
Complete Pogi Challenge results HERE
Photo Credit: Pogi Challenge
© 2026 Copyright Gran Fondo Daily News – All Rights Reserved