Nicolas Prodhomme responds to ‘Pantani’ nickname from Tadej Pogacar

Nicolas Prodhomme, a rider for Decathlon CMA CGM, has responded to the nickname ‘Pantani’ given to him by Tadej Pogacar and the UAE Team Emirates-XRG during the 2026 Tour de France.

The nickname originated from Prodhomme’s aggressive climbing style, specifically his tendency to launch violent accelerations in the first 500 meters of decisive ascents to support teammate Paul Seixas. One notable instance occurred on the Col de Sarenne during the twentieth stage, where Pogacar observed and matched Prodhomme’s pace.

Prodhomme stated in recent interviews that while he views the comparison as a compliment to his climbing ability, he does not personally identify with the legendary Italian cyclist and would prefer to be called by his own name. He noted that there is mutual respect between him and Pogacar, and he is handling the teasing from his own teammates with humor.