«We are used to racing as favourites. Many can do well. Vingegaard? A terrible fall”

Tadej Pogacar he appears extremely calm during the press conference prior to the departure of Giro d’Italia 2024. Despite being the undisputed favorite for the final victory, this is his first meeting with the pink race. It almost seems like an already obvious verdict, even if anything can happen in the three weeks: winner of Tour de France in 2020 and 2021, second in 2022 and 2023, the Slovenian has all it takes to be able to dominate in the season in which he will attempt the double with the Tour de France, 26 years after the feat of Marco Pantani in 1998.

«After Liège I took a period of rest and carried out intense training», explains the cyclist UAE Team Emirates. «I tried to dedicate some time to relax before the start of the Giro and now we are here. I love racing in Italy, it’s a country close to my Slovenia, so I hope to see many Slovenian fans along the streets.”

Eddy Merckx: «In March I feared I would die, but now I’m better. Ride and Tour like me? Pogacar can do it”

UAE Team Emirates is once again indicated as the favorite for the final victory, but this does not worry Pogacar. «We are used to starting as favourites. There are also teams that will race against us. I believe that as a team we can do a great job: I have faith in Felix Grossschartner and Rafal Majka for the mountain stages, but it’s not just about those. In a big stage race, it is important to be strong even on downhill and flat terrain. Managing your energy will be crucial, getting to the end without completely exhausting yourself but still having a little in reserve.” After all, there is also the Tour de France to face: «Now we race for a month, then a month’s break and another race for another month. In short, there are many commitments. I haven’t set myself the goal of winning the pink jersey in Oropa in the second stage, the important thing will be to wear it in Rome. We will see day after day if there are opportunities for victory. In three weeks of racing many surprises can happen. At this Giro d’Italia there are many riders who can do well, like Bardet and Thomas. I think we will know more after the second day. During the winter I worked a lot on the time trial bike, I feel more comfortable than in the past, even if I have more feeling with the road one.”

Before leaving for the 2024 Giro d’Italia, Pogacar also has a word for his opponent Jonas Vingegaard, who is still recovering after a crash at the Tour of the Basque Country. «I was following the race on my cell phone with my partner. It was terrible to see, no one should ever have to go through something like that. I haven’t spoken to him, I imagine he wants privacy after such a dramatic fall. With his family by his side, I am sure he will recover soon.”

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Read the full article at
The messenger