"'Bling' appreciates how I train, and I like how he trains" - Tadej Pogacar on bromance with Michael Matthews

Tadej Pogacar is one of the biggest names in cycling today. Aside from his undoubtedly spectacular performances on the bike though, his likeable personality has also endeared him to both fans of the sport and fellow riders in the peloton.

One of those Pogacar has a great relationship with is Team Jayco AlUla star Michael Matthews. Not a general classification rider, the Aussie is no rival to Pogacar in the Grand Tours and although the duo do occasionally come up against each other in big one day races, the pair have often been seen out training together or even travelling to the race together in the same car, as happened at Milano-Sanremo earlier this year.

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"'Bling' (Michael Matthews' nickname ed.) appreciates how I train, and I like how he trains," explains Pogacar of his bromance with the Australian in an extensive interview on the Inside the Ride podcast by MyWhoosh. "That's why we often go together. There are often more people for coffee laps and easy laps."

That's not to say Pogacar or Matthews would ever give each other any special treatment once the race is underway though. "If I'm on my teammate's wheel in the last five kilometres, I don't let him in between," the Slovenian laughs, firmly answering any questions about that topic.

Given Pogacar's reported brutality in training though, the UAE Team Emirates leader admits he does sometimes find getting a partner for a ride something of a challenge. "Not many people want to ride with me. Or I don't want to ride with them," he jokes, although it's noted Formula 1 star Carlos Sainz recently joined him. "Cycling is becoming increasingly popular in motorsport. I think they see an advantage. They have great reflexes, and you have to be very strong to withstand the g-forces. But the heart rate is also very high, so it helps to cycle. Carlos Sainz started cycling this year and he fell in love. That's why we sometimes ride together."

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