Tadej Pogačar performed down his position of tremendous favorite for Milan-San Remo, and performed down his probabilities of victory, all whereas refusing to disclose his playing cards and UAE Team Emirates-XRG race technique at Friday’s group presentation in Pavia.
Pogačar and UAE have been the final on stage on the males’s presentation and naturally obtained the most important cheers from the Italian crowd.
Pogačar nonetheless has some street rash and even open wounds however appeared able to race, two weeks after his crash and victory at Strade Bianche.
“I nonetheless have some open wounds however I’m feeling OK. Nothing bothers me on the bike,” he admitted, rigorously wrapped up in opposition to the chilly that ought to comply with Milan-San Remo all day on Saturday.
“The first few days have been fairly tough, however since then I did some actually good coaching, did some good recons, and got here right here with the group. There’s a superb ambiance and I’m tremendous ready and able to race.”
Each rider who handed by the packed and chaotic media combined zone on the group presentation was requested: “What will Pogačar do?”
Pogačar was requested too however jokingly stayed evasive. “To win it’s a must to cross the end line first…” he mentioned.
“To win it’s a must to be one of the best, it is so simple as that. In reality, it is a powerful one to crack. You have to have some luck, it is advisable to be ready, concentrated, have the facility, it is advisable to have the group round you. Everything must go completely.
“Anything might be potential however you by no means know what’s going to occur on this race. So many particulars depend in ways. We can speak about the place you possibly can assault, or what you are able to do, however you by no means know. Any small, small element in the course of the day can change all the pieces within the race.”
Pogačar will once more be a marked man in the course of the 289km journey to San Remo, the rainbow jersey making him stand out within the peloton. His rivals know they can’t let him get away on the Cipressa, and particularly on the Poggio, and may solely hope to beat him in a dash within the Via Roma end.
Pogačar can win any race he targets however Milan-San Remo might be probably the most troublesome for him to win. His declare that he was not a favorite is sort of justified.
“I do not suppose we are the favourites. It’s a race we goal however we’re outsiders however we’re not the primary favourites. We’ve not gained this race but…” he mentioned ominously, victory at Milan-San Remo absolutely a case of when, not if.
