Alongside Muys (17) there was also an 18-year-old Danish rider clinging to Pogacar’s wheel during KOM attack: "Toughest kilometers of my life"

The scene seems almost too good to be true: a young Belgian cyclist, training in Spain, unexpectedly coming face-to-face with his idol, Tadej Pogacar. But for Quinten Muys, a member of the youth team Crabbé-dstny, that dream became a reality. It’s moments like these that remind us how beautiful cycling can be. Along with his buddies Jenthe Verstraete and Nicholas Birkholm, we saw Pogi fly past us, Muys and Birkholm tell their story....

Last week, Pogacar succeeded in setting a new Strava KOM on the Coll de Rates, one of the most famous and frequently visited climbs in the Spanish hinterland, where all WorldTour teams set up their winter training camps. It was a bold statement from the Slovenian star as the year drew to a close. According to Laurens ten Dam in the Live Slow Ride Fast podcast, it was a scheduled attack with the entire UAE Team Emirates team.

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Afterward, Muys received pats on the back from UAE team directors

It turns out there was another unforgettable moment that day. The 17-year-old Muys, training with his friends Jenthe Verstraete and Nicholas Birkholm, happened to be on the Coll de Rates at the same time. They were live witnesses to the record attempt. The three of them saw the Slovenian superstar zoom past at full speed. And we're talking about some serious speed! Pogacar completed his record-setting attempt with an average speed of 31 kilometers per hour, 12 seconds faster than the previous record held by Denmark’s Peter Øxenberg.

"In the first corner, we saw someone from UAE standing there with a stopwatch," Muys told Sporza, recounting the experience. "That’s when we knew something special was about to happen. About 2.5 kilometers from the summit, we suddenly heard a car honking, signaling us to move aside. Then Pogacar flew past us."

When the young Belgians saw the two-time Tour de France winner speed by, they didn’t hesitate and jumped into his slipstream. "I managed to stay in Pogacar’s wheel for two kilometers. I was pushing 480 to 490 watts," Muys shared. He eventually had to let go when Pogacar accelerated on the steep section in the final corner. But not without a special acknowledgment: "Afterward, his team directors gave me a pat on the back."

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Brave talents got a selfie from Pogacar as a reward

It’s small moments like these that make cycling so special. While stars in many sports often seem out of reach, in cycling, you can literally and figuratively follow in the footsteps of your heroes. The road is open to everyone, from amateurs to professionals. For Muys, an ordinary training ride on the Spanish roads turned into a memory he’ll never forget. "Well, it was an unforgettable experience. Something really cool. Before our vacation, we were already hoping to meet Pogacar. At first, we were disappointed when we encountered the whole team without him. And then, suddenly, you’re in his wheel. That’s something that will stay with me forever."

Dane Birkholm stayed close to Pogacar for a long time as well, he tells Feltet. He shares the same experience: "We jumped in Pogacar's wheel, and my friend took his phone and filmed until we were almost at the top. In addition to a pat on the back, a selfie with the world champion followed at the top of the col. 'It was unbelievable riding with a guy you admire. He rode alone, so it was a crazy experience."

"Probably the toughest miles of my life. But it was beyond words," Birkholm recalled. We will see the young talent back with the Hubo-Scott Cycling Team, a Belgian cycling team, in 2025. "That's where I want to show myself. I have a lot of friends, and my girlfriend is in Belgium."

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