Here’s a story that’ll make you rethink how athletes show gratitude: Tadej Pogacar, the cycling sensation, turned a simple bus conversation into an extravagant gesture of thanks for his UAE Team Emirates teammates. But here’s where it gets intriguing—it wasn’t just any gift; it was a Marzocco coffee machine for each rider, inspired by their daily coffee chatter during the grueling 2023 Tour de France. Who knew a running joke could brew such generosity?
During an episode of Jakob Fuglsang’s podcast Fuglsang i Feltet, Pogacar revealed how coffee became the team’s obsession. After losing the yellow jersey to Jonas Vingegaard, he decided to splurge on these high-end machines as a token of appreciation. ‘Every day on the bus, before and after the stage, we talked about coffee,’ Pogacar shared. ‘They were obsessed, so I thought, why not?’ And this is the part most people miss—it wasn’t just about the gift; it was about the bond forged during a Tour that tested their limits, even if victory didn’t go their way.
But here’s the controversial twist: Is Pogacar’s approach to gifting—personal, quirky, and tied to his own interests—a refreshing change or a missed opportunity for something more practical? Let’s dive deeper.
Pogacar himself has embraced cycling’s growing amateur-barista culture, owning a Marzocco Micra and attempting latte art with mixed results. ‘I can steam milk pretty well, but my rosetta? Let’s just say it’s a work in progress,’ he joked. This gesture wasn’t just a souvenir; it was a shared memory of their collective struggle and camaraderie during the Tour.
This isn’t the first time Pogacar has gone off the beaten path with his gifts. After his 2021 Tour de France victory, he gifted his teammates Green Egg barbecue smokers. Here’s where opinions might clash: Brandon McNulty, one of the recipients, hilariously pointed out, ‘I live in an apartment in Girona—where am I supposed to use this?’ Yet, Tejay van Garderen praised Pogacar’s approach on the Cycling Beyond the Podium podcast, noting how it differs from traditional cash or vacation gifts. ‘Tadej’s young at heart,’ he said. ‘He thinks, ‘If I love it, they will too.’ It’s thoughtful, a little quirky, and it brings people together.’
From smokers to coffee machines, the pattern is clear: Pogacar’s gifts are personal, slightly eccentric, and deeply reflective of his own passions. But we have to ask: Are these gifts truly appreciated, or do they sometimes miss the mark? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you prefer practical gifts or something that tells a story? Pogacar’s approach might not be for everyone, but it’s undeniably unique and heartfelt, much like the man himself.
