Toxicity and Aggression in the Cycling Community
Introduction
Tobias Halland Johannessen, a Norwegian cyclist, recently revealed the extent of threats he has received since Tadej Pogačar's controversial Tour de France crash. Johannessen shared that he has been inundated with threatening messages in his inbox and does not wish this upon anyone.
Threats in the Cycling World
This is not the first time that the cycling world has seen such extreme reactions to controversial incidents. In 2019, during the Giro d'Italia, Italian cyclist Vincenzo Nibali was punched by a spectator. In 2018, Chris Froome was spat at and had urine thrown at him during the Tour de France. These incidents highlight the toxicity and aggression that exists in the cycling community, especially towards riders who are perceived as threats.
Impact on Riders
The constant threats and aggression towards riders can have a significant impact on their mental and emotional well-being. Not only does it create a hostile environment, but it also adds immense pressure on riders to perform and live up to expectations. This can have detrimental effects on their performance and overall mental health.
About the People Mentioned
Tobias Halland Johannessen
Tobias Halland Johannessen, born August 23, 1999, in Drøbak, Norway, is a professional road cyclist currently racing for the UCI ProTeam Uno-X Mobility[1][2][4]. He began his cycling career alongside his twin brother Anders, initially competing in cyclo-cross and mountain biking before shifting his primary focus to road racing[1][2]. Johannessen’s early years were marked by notable success in cyclo-cross, including multiple Norwegian national championships and strong international junior results[5]. He also achieved a bronze medal in cross-country at the UCI World Junior Mountain Bike Championships in 2016[5]. Johannessen transitioned to road cycling with Uno-X in 2021, quickly establishing himself as one of Norway’s most promising talents[1]. His breakthrough came in 2021 with a second-place finish in the General Classification at the Giro Ciclistico d’Italia and a victory at the prestigious Tour de l’Avenir, a key race for young riders, where he won by a narrow margin[1]. That same year, he represented Norway in the road race at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics[1][2]. Despite setbacks from knee injuries in 2020, Johannessen demonstrated resilience by returning to high-level competition[1][2]. In subsequent seasons, Johannessen continued to build his reputation with strong performances in both one-day and stage races. He won the Young Rider Classification at the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2022 and finished fourth overall at the Tour of Norway, also securing the Points classification[1]. The 2023 season saw him claim a stage win at the Tour de Luxembourg, finish second at the Tour of Britain and Giro del Veneto, and achieve top-ten results in several other races[1][6]. He also completed his first Tour de France in 2023, finishing sixth overall in 2025—a career highlight that underscores his climbing ability and consistency in Grand Tours[6]. Johannessen is currently ranked among the top 50 riders in the UCI World Ranking, with seven UCI race victories to his name[4]. His recent results in 2024 include podium finishes at the Classic Var and Deutschland Tour, as well as consistent performances in WorldTour events[6]. However, a fractured collarbone sustained in a crash at the 2024 Gran Piemonte has temporarily sidelined him from competition[6]. Johannessen’s blend of climbing prowess, versatility, and steady progression makes him a key figure for Uno-X Mobility and a rider to watch in international cycling.
Tadej Pogačar
Tadej Pogačar, born September 21, 1998, in Komenda, Slovenia, is a professional road cyclist widely regarded as one of the greatest riders of his generation and among the best in cycling history[1][3]. Affectionately nicknamed “Pogi,” he competes for UAE Team Emirates, where he has been a key figure since joining in 2019[1][3]. Pogačar’s rise in cycling began in childhood; though initially drawn to football, he started cycling in 2007 with his older brother and quickly distinguished himself in local races[2]. His talent became evident in the junior ranks, with notable wins including the Giro della Lunigiana and the prestigious Tour de l’Avenir, signaling his potential in stage racing[2]. He turned professional in 2017 and made his World Tour debut in 2019, immediately making an impact by winning the Tour of California and three stages at the Vuelta a España, finishing third overall[2]. His breakthrough came in 2020 at the Tour de France, where he claimed overall victory in dramatic fashion, overtaking compatriot Primož Roglič in the final time trial to become the second-youngest winner in the race’s history[2]. Pogačar’s versatility is notable: he excels in time trials, climbing, and one-day classics, drawing comparisons to legends like Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault[1]. His palmarès includes four Tour de France titles (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025), the 2024 Giro d’Italia, and ten Monument classics—among them multiple wins at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Tour of Flanders, and Giro di Lombardia[1]. He is also a two-time UCI Road World Champion, successfully defending his title in 2025[1][6]. In 2024, Pogačar achieved the rare Triple Crown of Cycling—winning the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and World Championships in a single year—a feat matched by only two other male riders in history[1]. That same year, he became the first to win both the Tour de France and the World Championship in consecutive years (2024 and 2025)[1]. His attacking style and ambition to compete across both Grand Tours and one-day classics have reinvigorated the sport, earning him the UCI world No. 1 ranking for a record number of weeks[1]. Off the bike, Pogačar is known for his calm demeanor and close friendships within the peloton, notably with fellow Slovenian Jan Polanc[3]. He is married to cyclist Urška Žigart and is an advocate for women’s cycling[4]. As of late 2025, Pogačar remains at the pinnacle of professional cycling, continuing to set records and redefine what is possible in the sport[1][3].
