The great leader of UAE Team Emirates in 2024 repeatedly said that the press doesn’t necessarily need that much from him. But just as often, he still made plenty of time for them, even when a question was asked for the hundredth time. What exactly is it like for you and Italy? Why do you ride Lombardy? Do you see yourself as a top favorite? Pogacar kept listening to them towards Il Lombardia with a smile but then took his time more extensively when the questions became more specific and original. Some of the English and Slovenian questions that made for interesting responses.
In the first place, I respect the program from the team’s point of view, where skipping races and someone else suddenly having to fill in is never a good thing. But these are also just nice races, and I feel good on the bike and am in shape. So why shouldn’t I keep racing until the end? Especially with the rainbow jersey on my shoulders, I can enjoy it extra.”
You’ve won almost all of your last victories solo. Is that the most beautiful way for you, or can you also enjoy a fight to the end?
“In Strade Bianche, I knew fairly early on that I was going to win, but at the World Championship, for example, I wasn’t sure of my case until the last moment. That was so tough; cramps can always creep in. So it’s different every time, even though it remains a solo. The joy remains the same, while sprinting for the win gives more adrenaline. That is also super nice, but I prefer to be assured of the win as soon as possible.”
Are you still surprised these days that no one can join you when you attack?
“At the World Championship, I was surprised; there were riders there who could have followed me. In other races, it was often closer to the finish, and in Emilia, we raced incredibly hard up the San Luca in the rain. Those were huge power levels, so that surprised me less.”
Some people claim that you are still riding around with Tour de France legs. Can you confirm that?
“I don’t know because I ride one-day races, and that’s very different from the Tour, where you have to be ready to perform for three weeks. I can’t handle a grand tour in my current form; it’s time for the offseason. One-day races are very different, but if you put the numbers alongside each other, they’re about the same as the Tour. But I don’t think you can compareAre you still surprised these days that no one can join you when you attack?
“At the World Championship, I was surprised; there were riders there who could have followed me. In other races, it was often closer to the finish, and in Emilia, we raced incredibly hard up the San Luca in the rain. Those were huge power levels, so that surprised me less.”
Some people claim that you are still riding around with Tour de France legs. Can you confirm that?
“I don’t know because I ride one-day races, and that’s very different from the Tour, where you have to be ready to perform for three weeks. I can’t handle a grand tour in my current form; it’s time for the offseason. One-day races are very different, but if you put the numbers alongside each other, they’re about the same as the Tour. But I don’t think you can compare that. that.
