Tadej Pogačar travelled to Canada on Tuesday for the GP Cycliste de Québec and GP Cycliste de Montréal, kicking off his end-of-season race marketing campaign and aiming for the UCI Highway World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland on the finish of the month.
Pogačar has not raced since profitable the Tour de France in Good on July 21. He opted out of the Paris Olympics and most popular to relaxation up and practice after finishing the Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double.
Including the world title and rainbow jersey to his 2024 palmares would imply Pogačar joins Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987) as the one male triple crown winners. Annemiek van Vleuten accomplished the ladies’s triple crown in 2022.
“I do not know what number of Grand Excursions Primož Roglič and I’ve gained now however a Slovenian has by no means gained the world title. I hope to place that proper,” Pogačar stated in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
Pogačar rode on the Zurich World Championship course throughout a latest occasion with private sponsor Plume in Switzerland. It appeared excellent for his aggressive racing model.
“It is onerous however not tremendous onerous, but it surely’s the riders who at all times make the race,” he defined.
“Final 12 months individuals thought the Glasgow Worlds would finish in a dash however that by no means occurred. This 12 months is extra suited to the climbers. It is a punchy course, for aggressive riders, with some technical components. It is an ideal Worlds course.
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“If Mathieu van der Poel is on nice type, he might combat for victory and shock us. It will have been excellent for Wout van Aert and so it is a pity he will not race resulting from his crash. Then there’s Remco [Evenepoel], like me he is a really versatile rider and might win on any terrain.”
Pogačar gained the GP Cycliste de Montreal in 2022 and this 12 months is arguably the favorite for each the simpler GP Cycliste de Québec on Friday after which Sunday’s hilly GP Cycliste de Montréal. Montréal will host the 2026 Highway World Championships on the same course.
Pogačar will spearhead a robust UAE Crew Emirates squad in Canada, with former Montréal winner Tim Wellens and Juan Ayuso as different leaders. Finishing the workforce are Igor Arrieta, Finn Fisher-Black and Rafal Majka.
“I’ve had a very good break from racing and I am wanting to get again to it now beginning in Canada,” Pogačar stated. “It is a wonderful a part of the world to journey a motorbike in and I’ve nice reminiscences right here from two years in the past.
“My situation is nice and I’m targeted on having fun with and doing effectively on this final a part of the season. The extent might be excessive there as at all times and we’ll must be at our greatest. No matter occurs for the remainder of the season I will be proud of what I’ve achieved this 12 months. The rest might be a bonus.”
No doubt, he has improved in 2024. What has been the largest factor that has modified?
“I’ve labored lots off the bike, the setting round me has modified a bit. Small particulars on the bike, a special mentality of me and people round me. I’m extra snug on the bike, the coaching plan has been completely different.”
The problem now’s to keep up this stage or attempt to enhance much more?
“I feel there may be room for additional enchancment. My life isn’t 110% devoted to biking. Focusing additional with a stronger mentality… on many particulars like vitamin and different issues… it might go even higher. Or worse, who is aware of. We’ll attempt to see the way it goes.
“For example I am on the highway, however I’ve to proceed doing what I have been doing for the previous couple of years. To be one of the best, it’s important to excel in each facet in comparison with your rivals to the purpose that everybody agrees that you just actually are one of the best. It will be wonderful to try this, however I am not occupied with it an excessive amount of.
“And if I do not succeed, by no means thoughts. I am simply occupied with having as a lot enjoyable as doable in racing and with biking.”
