Exclusive: Tadej Pogacar ignoring ‘unbeatable’ label as debut Giro D’Italia looms - ‘So much can happen’
By Rhys Jones
Published 03/05/2024 at 20:42 GMT+1
UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar is staying focused ahead of his debut Giro d'Italia, while pundits and riders alike call the Slovenian cyclist "unbeatable." Pogacar is the heavy favourite heading into this month’s race, which is live on Eurosport and discovery+. But he made it clear that anything can happen in the three-week Corsa Rosa.
‘Never just one contender’ – Pogacar expects Thomas, O’Connor to rival him for pink at Giro d’Italia
Video credit: TNT Sports
The ‘unbeatable’ tag is being levied at Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar ahead of his debut Giro d’Italia.
But the overwhelming favourite knows that the next three weeks can throw up any number of curveballs and obstacles.
And he is aware enough to not buy into his own hype, instead pointing to the likes of Geraint Thomas and Ben O'Connor as potential pink jersey rivals.
“Everybody says that there is just one contender, but in cycling, it’s never like this, especially in a three-week race,” the UAE Team Emirates rider said.
"There's going to be a lot of riders that try to win. And I think in three weeks can happen so much. So much that you cannot just say I'm the only favourite and that's it.
“You still need to ride three weeks and fight everything, everybody. The nature, the road, the riders. We cannot just say that there is one favourite.”
Pogacar has been a serial winner this spring, taking victories at Strade Bianche, the Volta a Catalunya and Liège–Bastogne–Liège.
The 25-year-old is now the heavy favourite to conquer the Corsa Rosa, which begins on Saturday in Turin.
- HOW TO WATCH THE 2024 GIRO D'ITALIA: TV AND LIVE STREAM DETAILS AS TADEJ POGACAR AND GERAINT THOMAS HUNT PINK
- GIRO D'ITALIA 2024: STAGE ROUTES AND START TIMES, TV CHANNEL DETAILS, LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE AS TADEJ POGACAR EYES GLORY
- 'GERAINT THOMAS FIGHTING FOR SECOND, TADEJ POGACAR IS UNBEATABLE' – ALBERTO CONTADOR ON 2024 GIRO D'ITALIA
Many consider the Giro to be the most difficult Grand Tour, and Pogacar is equally aware that his competitors pose just as much threat to him as the course does.
When asked who he sees as his main rivals in the general classification, he was quick to point to Welsh rider Geraint Thomas and Australian cyclist Ben O’Connor.
“Even if he didn't show great results in previous races, he always does this and he's coming in for sure in good shape," Pogacar said of Thomas.
“He’s a good time trialist and his time trials here suit him well. So I think he's going to be in good shape.
“Ben O'Connor is coming in in great shape this year. I think he's stepping up every year a bit.
“I think it's a big fight for a podium, for a top five, and for the top ten there’s a lot of riders that can really be there and try to attack from far.”
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/05/02/3960585-80406413-2560-1440.jpg)
Cycling - Giro d'Italia - Presentation - Interview to Geraint Thomas in English
Video credit: TNT Sports
There is growing belief that Pogacar could become the first rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win the Giro and Tour de France in the same season.
That hype inevitably emerges around someone each year but the Slovenian has given people little reason to doubt that he may be the one to do the double next.
“I know that I need to do Giro really well. I need to finish it really strong and in a good mindset. And then I’ll just recover and be ready for the Tour de France like any other year. That is the biggest race of them all.
“I have always in my mind that everybody would be on the same level, like before or even better.”
So, with such big hype surrounding him this year, how does he feel about the 'everyone v Tadej' attitude that seems to be growing?
“Probably it's going to be like this the first days, but then in Grand Tours when the riders from five to 10 who start to race against each other and go to breakaways, it's not going to be all about us," he said.
"I think it's a wide-open race and for sure we will have to pull the most probably, especially in the first place.
“But we are a really strong team here. We are a confident, super good group and we are ready for this.”
WHEN IS THE 2024 GIRO D'ITALIA?
The 2024 Giro d'Italia runs from Saturday, May 4 to Sunday, May 26.
The race starts in Venaria Reale, on the outskirts of northern Turin, and finishes in Rome.
Every stage will be broadcast in its entirety on Eurosport 1, while you can watch ad-free on discovery+.
- - -
Stream the cycling season live on discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement