Alberto Contador excited to see Tadej Pogacar's Giro-Tour challenge: "If he wins the double, maybe he would go for the Vuelta as well"

Alberto Contador has in the past attempted to win both Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in the same season. In recent years not many riders have tried to do so, and hence the legend of Spanish cycling is thrilled to see what Tadej Pogacar can do in this role.

"I think it is possible to win the Tour de France after doing the Giro. If we are talking about a rider like Pogacar or a rider like Vingegaard, I do think it is possible," Contador said in words to Eurosport. "Would it perhaps be a better option to prepare specifically for the Tour de France? Maybe, yes. But we are talking about Tadej Pogacar, who is pure talent. We are talking about a rider who has planned and calculated how many days he will compete at the start of the season in order to not overdo it."

The Slovenian has let go of his goals in the spring classics so that he can calmly and properly prepare for his first double-Grand Tour year. He heads to the Giro as the outright favourite as most of his rivals head to the Tour de France; but then he will equally prepare for the Grand Boucle and lead UAE Team Emirates alongside Adam Yates, Juan Ayuso and João Almeida. A thrilling season ahead, only taking into consideration the three-week races.

"Perhaps thinking about having a season where a lot revolves around the Giro and the Tour de France, before obviously looking towards the World Championships and the Olympic Games which I am sure he will want to do. Who knows… if he wins the double, maybe he would go for the Vuelta as well," 'El Pistolero' added. "So I do think he can win, and I don’t think it is a way of taking away pressure when it comes to the Tour."

At the Tour however he will face Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel - each with strong teams. He will need his very best level, which will not be easy to achieve following a Giro that regularly takes a lot out of the riders. "I think that Pogacar going for the double, Giro and Tour, I understand it perfectly. Tadej is a rider who enjoys himself on the bike. Tadej is a rider who has already achieved incredible victories despite his young age. He has a number of wins in extremely prestigious races," Contador completements.

And this year, at 25 years of age, 'Pogi' takes on another monumental challenge. "I think it’s normal that he wants to give himself a different challenge, and of course the Giro is a big challenge coupled with the fact that he will try and win the Tour de France," Contador concludes. "Because when a rider like Tadej Pogacar is on the start line of the Tour de France, he is there with the clear objective of winning."