In the mountains and time-trials, it is quite unlikely that anyone at the
Giro d'Italia will be able to put time into
Tadej Pogacar. This applies even to
Geraint Thomas who is a specialist on both types of racing; and so
INEOS Grenadiers made an attempt to create chaos this Friday at the Giro by trying to expose a weakness in the crosswinds.
“To the end of the Giro we’re looking at moving forward. With Pogačar, as strong as he is, you have to hope that he makes a mistake or has a bad day, and that you’re ready to take that opportunity," INEOS DS Zak Dempster said in an interview with GCN. "At the moment there aren’t any real signs of weakness but the Giro is long and Rome is far, so let's see how we go.”
Whilst Pogacar has raced conservatively over the past few hard days and the gap is below a closeable three minutes in the overall classification, it is expected to grow this weekend with a 31-kilometer time-trial and colossal mountain stage into Livigno. The chances of Pogacar having a bad day such as last year's Col de la Loze collapse at the Tour de France are possible, but they will only be exposed if other teams take initiative and put him under pressure. This is why INEOS hit the front, as they tested the race leader in an unexpected moment.
“Given he’s a once-in-a-generation cyclist people remember when he did crack but it’s not happened that often and even when it has, it’s just been Jonas [Vingegaard] who has been better, and then the next day Tadej has bounced back and won the next mountain stage," Dempster added. "There aren’t so many indications that he’s got that third-week weakness. So if there is any shown then we have to put everything into place and hope that we’re on the front foot."
Thomas and INEOS' move was also to put direct rivals under pressure, but it was ultimately an unsuccessful attempt. Still, it proves that the British team are not just thinking of the podium at the moment, but that Pogacar's rivals are still thinking of how they can dethrone the UAE Team Emirates rider.
“A lot of it’s down to if he would make a mistake. We have a team here for technical stages so you might have an opportunity if you have your eyes open and you’re willing to get creative whenever you can," the British former pro concluded.
