Cycling: Nicolas Prodhomme responds to Tadej Pogacar’s Marco Pantani nickname

Wednesday 12 August 2026 - 11:53

By: Sahili Aya

Cycling: Nicolas Prodhomme responds to Tadej Pogacar’s Marco Pantani nickname

Nicolas Prodhomme has offered a light-hearted response to Tadej Pogacar after the Slovenian star compared the French rider to Italian climbing legend Marco Pantani.

Prodhomme emerged as one of the notable performers of the 2026 Tour de France, finishing 16th overall while playing an important supporting role for young French leader Paul Seixas. His repeated efforts in the mountains also caught the attention of Pogacar, who gave him the nickname “Marco Pantani” because of his habit of making an impact early in final climbs.

Pogacar explains the unusual comparison

Pogacar revealed that the nickname had already been used jokingly within Prodhomme's team.

According to the five-time Tour de France winner, Prodhomme repeatedly showed strong legs when the race reached its final ascent. His ability to accelerate in the opening section of a climb often helped stretch the peloton and create selection.

The comparison with Pantani, one of cycling's most famous climbers, was therefore intended as a reference to Prodhomme's climbing style rather than a direct comparison between the two riders' careers.

Prodhomme takes the nickname in stride

Prodhomme did not appear particularly eager to adopt the legendary Italian's name as his own.

Asked about Pogacar's comments, the Frenchman responded with a mixture of humor and understatement, indicating that he would simply prefer the Slovenian champion to use his real name.

The exchange adds a playful dimension to what was otherwise a highly competitive relationship on the roads of the Tour.

A breakthrough Tour for the French rider

Behind the nickname is a rider whose reputation grew considerably during the 2026 race.

Working alongside Seixas, Prodhomme proved valuable in the mountains and helped support his team's ambitions throughout the three-week event. His 16th-place overall finish provided a strong individual result while his work as a domestique attracted attention from riders at the front of the race.

One particular moment came during the ascent of the Col de Sarenne, when Pogacar reportedly gave Prodhomme a stern look. The incident became another memorable episode from a Tour in which the French rider repeatedly found himself influencing the race alongside some of its biggest names.

Pogacar's “Pantani” nickname ultimately underlines how noticeable Prodhomme's climbing performances became. For the Frenchman, however, there appears to be no immediate desire to exchange his own name for that of one of cycling's most iconic figures.