"Humble, down to earth..." - Tadej Pogacar as described by friend and Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr.

Milano-Sanremo is a race that takes place close to Tadej Pogacar's home in Monaco. He lives close to many of the sport's best, and many of the best from other sports as well, in what is often described as a tax haven. At the finale of the Italian monument, he was cheered and greeted by Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr., who described the relationship between the two.

Often on Instagram it has been possible to see the two ride together, with the World Champion often training together with his partner Urska Zigart or other non-cycling related friends in the area. Sainz is one of them.

"Training is a big word. He trains either alone or with his teammates. On days when he needs to recover and unwind, I accompany him on his more relaxed bike rides," Sainz said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. "Then, we sometimes eat together, we talk about our sports and what we do".

Sainz was a notable figure at the finish line in Sanremo, located less than 100 kilometers away from Monaco. Later on he also joined the Slovenian on the podium, after Pogacar on La Primavera for the first time.

"We are very good friends, and obviously seeing him win the Sanremo here in person, after all he worked for, is a source of pride and honor," he admits. "I'd never come to see a race live, but cycling is a sport I always follow on television."

It was quite the debut for the Spaniard on the sidelines of a cycling event, surrounded by the UAE entourage in a celebration environment. Being on of Pogacar's closest friends at home, he provides insight into their relationship.

"He's a top guy. Humble, down to earth, he works incredibly hard but at the same time knows how to have fun whenever possible".

"Now Roubaix awaits him to complete the Monuments of cycling, and soon he'll give it a go with determination," he concluded.

The sight of Carlos Sainz Jr. on the Milano-Sanremo podium isn't just a marketing stunt; it’s a glimpse into the elite athlete subculture of Monaco. For Pogačar, riding with a non-cyclist like Sainz provides a rare mental break from the data-driven intensity of UAE Team Emirates. These 'recovery rides' (often seen on Instagram) serve as the social fabric that connects the world's most competitive individuals. As Sainz notes, they talk about their respective sports, finding common ground in the high-pressure environments of the F1 cockpit and the WorldTour peloton. With Sainz now predicting a win at Paris-Roubaix, it seems the F1 world is just as invested in Pogačar's Monument sweep as the cycling world is.