Tadej Pogačar gained extra time on his GC rivals within the Giro d’Italia stage 14 time trial and hinted at being aggressive on the Queen stage 15 to Livigno on Sunday. The total race chief insisted that he can solely land a knockout punch, and so be topped because the undisputed Corsa Rosa winner subsequent Saturday, after the ultimate mountain stage to Bassano del Grappa.
Pogačar was 29 seconds slower than Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) on the 31.2km rolling course between Castiglione delle Stiviere and Desenzano del Garda however gained extra time on Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) and Dani Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe) to increase his result in 3:41 and three:56 respectively.
It is a large margin however the Slovenian just isn’t taking something as a right. He has maybe seen the rain, snow and chilly climate forecast for the third week within the excessive mountains of northern Italy and is aware of the toughest phases are nonetheless to return.
“The last knockout punch needs to be on Monte Grappa in Bassano. It’s the final exhausting mountain stage, it’s a brutal stage,” Pogačar mentioned.
“The Giro just isn’t wrapped up, let’s not low cost something, the true Giro began right now. I gained time however you by no means know what occurs within the mountains, with rain and snow or no matter. Let’s contact wooden and hope for the very best.
“If you may take the time, you do. It’s higher to be safer than sorry and to have a much bigger hole going into the large mountains. For certain, we will be extra comfy and extra assured going into the subsequent few days.”
Pogačar shared the Giro d’Italia winner’s pie with Ganna on Saturday however hinted he will not be so beneficiant on Sunday on the Mottolino ski station that overlooks Livigno at 2,385 metres. The 222km stage additionally contains the early Colle San Zeno climb north of Brescia after which the steep Mortirolo 70 km from the end.
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Pogačar rightly known as it the queen stage of the 2024 Giro d’Italia, even when there are different lengthy, multi-mountain days to return within the last week.
“Our plan shall be easy, to go as exhausting as attainable with as many teammates as attainable,” he mentioned with a mixture of bravado to scare his rivals and pure confidence.
“It’s the queen stage. We most likely wish to go for the stage, however it relies on the breakaway and what others wish to do. We ought to give attention to our personal race, and it ought to all be okay.”
‘Gourmet shit’ carbo loading
Pogačar ready for the 222km stage into the excessive Alps by beginning his carbo loading as he waited for Ganna to complete his post-stage press convention. He scoffed on an enormous portion of pasta coated in some form of sauce, which he jokingly described as ‘connoisseur shit’.
It undoubtedly wasn’t his most popular home made pasta carbonara, however it was wanted after a brief however intense effort on his time trial bike.
“If I don’t look exhausted, then one thing could be incorrect,” Pogačar mentioned, insisting he’s human like each different rider within the Giro d’Italia.
“Even the fellows that went sluggish right now are drained. It was a 36-minute effort, with an extended day earlier than with the recon journey and the warm-up. It’s on the finish of the second week, so that you’re drained.”
Pogačar’s fatigue confirmed throughout the last a part of the time trial on the flat roads to the sting of Lake Garda.
He had set related instances to Ganna on the climb out of the beginning space and thru the rolling vineyards however then steadily misplaced second after second. He averted taking any dangers, misplaced 29 seconds to Ganna however was joyful to nonetheless achieve time on his GC rivals.
“Pippo created a extremely large hole from the final intermediate time examine to the end. He put up a extremely nice tempo, and that is the place it suited him,” Pogačar mentioned, explaining their 29-second distinction.
“I attempted to do the alternative; the primary half, the exhausting half, was extra suited to me as a result of it was extra up and down, left and proper. I actually loved the primary half however then the final 12km or so wasn’t actually nice for me. I simply tried to take care of the facility, to not actually kill myself.
“After the final intermediate, I knew it was going to be exhausting to beat Pippo, even when I abruptly discovered magic legs however this does not occur in biking. He was a lot stronger within the last.”
A relentless seek for perfection
Pogačar is now enjoying the lengthy recreation within the Giro d’Italia. He could also be going in opposition to his pure aggressive intuition, however he’s considering of total victory in Rome subsequent Sunday after which a historic Giro-Tour double in France in July.
His time trial efficiency is a consequence of the exhausting work executed within the wind tunnel and along with his tools sponsors. He has made errors alongside the best way however appears comfy and highly effective on his Colnago time trial bike.
He is aware of his time trial prowess is essential within the Giro d’Italia and could possibly be decisive within the Tour de France and the ultimate hilly time trial on stage 21 round Nice.
“I’m actually joyful the place I’m. It’s a extremely great spot for me now,” he mentioned of his present set-up, which appears comfy and performant.
“We improved the place earlier than the World Championships final 12 months, however then it was a bit too aggressive. It ruined my glutes and my head. So, since then, I used to be slightly bit much less aggressive, and I’ve labored on it. I work on my physique physique and with each coaching journey that I do, it is higher.
“I’m actually glad with the path we’re going and with the advance of my physique, my place, my legs and my motivation. Now we simply must give attention to each element with the bike and all the pieces for the Tour de France. We have already got perfection, however just for now. Things will evolve and may at all times be improved.”
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