100 Riders Take on Tour de France Champion Pogačar

An "Impossible" Challenge

Held on the same day as the opening stage of the Tour de France, this 100-rider relay challenge was organized by Shenzhen-based imaging technology company Insta360 as a tribute to Tadej Pogačar. The event was hosted by the Shenzhen Cycling Association, with support from the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Guangming District, the Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of Guangming District, and Velowind, which provided official support vehicles for the race.

The event featured two categories. The Challenge Group consisted of 100 relay riders who set out to take on Pogačar's record, while the Experience Group welcomed 200 cycling enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels for a non-competitive honorary ride. Their participation was purely for the experience and was not included in the official challenge results.

The record they sought to challenge was Pogačar's unforgettable performance in Stage 16 of the 2024 Giro d'Italia. Battling relentless rain and snow, he launched a stunning attack in the final kilometer to secure victory with the largest winning margin on that stage since 1965.

At just 27 years old, Pogačar has already claimed four Tour de France titles, making him the youngest rider ever to achieve four overall victories. Widely regarded as the strongest cyclist of his generation, he has become one of the sport's defining figures.

100 Everyday Riders Could Not Beat Pogačar

In the end, the impossible challenge remained just that.

The combined relay time of the 100-rider team stopped at 3:20:50, well behind Pogačar's record of 2:49:37, a gap that perfectly illustrated the difference between the world's best professional cyclist and one hundred ordinary riders.

Despite not breaking the record, every finisher received a generous race completion package. The fastest individual rider also earned a special prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris to watch the Tour de France in person.

That honor went to Huang Liang, a well-known rider who has long collaborated with Velowind on cycling events. Delighted by the result, he said:

This is amazing! I get to watch the Tour de France in person. Hopefully, I'll even get the chance to ride with Pogačar!

Reflecting on the event, one participant shared:

We may not have succeeded, but this challenge was never really about winning or losing. The sight of one hundred ordinary people taking on an extraordinary challenge represents the unwavering passion shared by countless cyclists everywhere. Here's to everyone who rides for the love of it.