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 Road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland on the finish of the month.
Pogačar has not raced since profitable the Tour de France in Nice on July 21. He opted out of the Paris Olympics and most well-liked to relaxation up and practice after finishing the Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double.
Adding 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 Tours Primož Roglič and I’ve received now however a Slovenian has by no means received 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 type.
“It’s exhausting however not tremendous exhausting, nevertheless it’s the riders who at all times make the race,” he defined.
“Last 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’s a punchy course, for aggressive riders, with some technical components. It’s an ideal Worlds course.
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“If Mathieu van der Poel is on nice kind, he may combat for victory and shock us. It would 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 may win on any terrain.”
Pogačar received 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 Road World Championships on the same course.
Pogačar will spearhead a robust UAE Team Emirates squad in Canada, with former Montréal winner Tim Wellens and Juan Ayuso as different leaders. Completing the staff are Igor Arrieta, Finn Fisher-Black and Rafal Majka.
“I’ve had a superb break from racing and I’m desperate to get again to it now beginning in Canada,” Pogačar stated. “It’s a ravishing a part of the world to experience a motorbike in and I’ve nice reminiscences right here from two years in the past.
“My situation is nice and I’m centered on having fun with and doing nicely on this final a part of the season. The degree might be excessive there as at all times and we’ll have to be at our greatest. Whatever occurs for the remainder of the season I could be pleased with what I’ve achieved this 12 months. Anything else might be a bonus.”
Without a doubt, he has improved in 2024. What has been the most important factor that has modified?
“I’ve labored loads off the bike, the surroundings 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 totally different.”
The problem now’s to take care of this degree 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 may go even higher. Or worse, who is aware of. We will attempt to see the way it goes.
“Let’s say I’m on the highway, however I’ve to proceed doing what I’ve been doing for the previous few years. To be the perfect, you must excel in each side in comparison with your rivals to the purpose that everybody agrees that you just actually are the perfect. It can be wonderful to do this, however I’m not serious about it an excessive amount of.
“And if I do not succeed, by no means thoughts. I’m simply serious about having as a lot enjoyable as doable in racing and with biking.”