"How can I make this about me" - Zonneveld pokes fun at Pogacar's Europeans homecoming and highlights how Evenepoel has winner's mentality
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar may not have been pinning a number at the 2026 European Championships elite men's road race, but the former world champion was part of the show in Slovenia as he made his homecoming.
With the race passing through his hometown, the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider had pushed hard to make an early return from injury for the race long on his radar. With the championships coming too early for his recovery from collarbone surgery, Pogacar instead had to watch the race as a fan.
However, live pictured showed him waving to fans from an organisation car as fans caught a glimpse of the five-time Tour winner as he got to take in the race from a different angle. Analyst Thijs Zonneveld acknowledged the good news that he made the trip but couldn't resist poking fun at his attention-grabbing appearance.
"On the one hand, it was nice that he was there, on the other hand, I thought: how can I make this about me - vibes," Zonneveld said on the podcast In de Waaier.
"I think he was asked by the organisation. The red carpet to the European title was rolled out for him."
Tadej Pogacar speaks to media at the race
Zonneveld on Ciccone's tactics
Analysising the race, the Dutchman thought that Giulio Ciccone could have helped his chances better by contributing less with Remco Evenepoel as the pair spent the final lap together, likening it to Kasia Niewiadoma assisting Demi Vollering before a World Championships sprint, favouring the Dutch rider.
Evenepoel got the better of the Italian in the sprint, although Ciccone contests the photo finish itself, Zonneveld would have liked to see him become European champion.
"Why bother taking over? Just stay behind. This was a bit like how Niewiadoma does it too. Ciccone doesn't throw his bike forward well. Evenepoel does that much better.
"We would have liked it if he had become European champion. It is also fun when he doesn't win; he almost smashes his handlebars in half."
Read also
Remco has winner's mentality
The new European champion, Zonneveld noticed how Evenepoel bounced back from Montreal disappointment to bounce back emphatically in Slovenia.
"Evenepoel is slightly heavier than in the Tour. During the GP Montreal and the World Championships, he fell short on the climbs.
"He said he was down after the World Championships; I think it's great that he actually says that. And then to come back like that a week later. It really is quite remarkable what he is capable of mentally. That true winner's mentality. That striking back is just another layer on top of it."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- absolutely agreed! if they cannot provide the image from the finish line showing that remco was ahead, they have to declare both of them winners. anything else would be unfair at the least. it would also not be good for remco because his title would remain to be questioned forever.Ketterechts05-10-2026
- using hitler in the same conversation as Sydney Sweeney. nice. I dismissed you as it is not right to look at someone and determine who they are on looks alone. I wouldn't make that video. I don't want my daughters to make it. I respect your right to not like it as well and don't disagree with you on that. what I do disagree with is someone looking at a video and assuming she is (a) stupid because she is "hot". (b) she has no talent because she is "hot". (c) she only got to where she is because she is "hot". and this is a sore point because I have beautiful daughters, one who is studying to be an aerospace engineer, and she is drop dead gorgeous. and I see how people look at her and the assumption they make, until they hear what she is doing, and it is not right. so to be clear - yes, I don't even disagree with your comments on the content. I disagree with your comments on the person. she can turn herself into a whatever one wants to call that in the video, but still be smart. and I don't give up because I have daughters and will defend women.mij05-10-2026
- Ciccone seems like a good dude. Understandable why he didn't ride. Remco is amazing, he just wins, but wow he just can't focus on his own race ever it seems. You know someone isn't going to ride in that situation, why bother getting worked up. put the energy into the pedals.mij05-10-2026
- This has came up before in a race and it definitely needs attention, the reasoning offered, 'race organisers use specialised imagery and software to overlay a vertical line at the front-wheel edge of the leading rider, thus the winner. However, this line may not be the finish line for technical reasons' - who declared RE the winner ? I can truly see Ciccone's angle! Just because RE is the bigger ego and the bigger enfante terrible! - doesn't mean he wins it all if Pogs not around
leedorney05-10-2026 - It's just a possibility I'll get hit by a car tomorrow... it's just a possibility my wife will run off with George Clooney... it's just a possibility god exists (but he doesn't... 100%)... everything is a possibility...PogiSloFans05-10-2026
- Shall we ask how many people here would wish you’d do that too?Mistermaumau05-10-2026
- Giulio, you are not the first to feel that way or get a reputation for it but some of the others broke the trend one day, I suggest you keep tryingMistermaumau05-10-2026
- The Festina Affair, Operación Puerto, Eufemiano Fuentes, Michele Ferrari, Armstrong, Contador, Landis, Ullrich, and Pantani were all great shows. Now Pogačar, "The Greatest Showman" of all.
vannpelt05-10-2026 - People are loosing it over UAE how dominant they are. First they create the best rider ever, now other teams captains cant even deal with their domestiques. Del Toro pogs dom better than evenepoel at every hilly course in the world..Its crazy work that team. That McNulty also won WC just goes to show how insane they are. Their the best in history its very clear aswell wether or not i dont like em ive never seen anything remotely close to them. Think ppl better off just accepting facts instead of delusional alternative realities. Touch grass, get a job and enjoy the show instead.miguel05-10-2026
- PogiSloFans, it is just a possibility with the unfortunate reality that Pog is having to face. He can't yet know how he will react to more intense training with his concussion; and that has consequences for the rest of someone's life.Hills3305-10-2026
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