"I am glad that I could be a part of it" - Unsung hero Doman Novak plays key role in Tadej Pogacar's 2024 Giro d'Italia triumph
Cycling
Although there was much talk pre-race about the supposed weakness of the UAE Team Emirates lineup around Tadej Pogacar at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, over the last three weeks, those concerns have turned out to be unfounded.
With the team playing in key role in a number of Pogacar's six Giro d'Italia stage wins, as they controlled the breakaway and kept them within reach for an impending attack from the Maglia Rosa, one of those unsung heroes of the UAE Team Emirates' Giro d'Italia success was the 28-year-old compatriot of the team leader, Domen Novak.
"Three weeks of racing are behind us. I’m very happy with my performance, I’ve never felt so good," the Slovenian writes in a post-race reflection on his official Instagram account after the Giro d'Italia concluded with a celebration in Rome on Sunday afternoon. "Of course, it was also difficult sometimes."
"The team was great, and also the atmosphere. I am glad that I could be a part of it and also contribute something to this victory. There are no words to describe these feelings," continues Novak, who was riding alongside Pogacar in a Grand Tour for the first time in his career. "I am very proud of Tadej Pogacar, he is absolutely amazing. Thanks to everyone who believed and supported us."
In the end, Pogacar took a dominant victory by almost ten minutes over second-placed Daniel Martinez. Whilst the UAE Team Emirates leader will now enjoy a short rest before switching attention to target the Tour de France next month will an all-star support cast including the likes of Adam Yates, Joao Almeida, Juan Ayuso, Pavel Sivakov, Nils Politt, Tim Wellens and Marc Soler, Novak, who wasn't selected for the Tour de France, will be preparing for his next scheduled appearance where he is to race at the 2024 Tour of Slovenia as it gets underway in his homeland on the 12th of June.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Roglic could not have won anyway, after Jonas followed him when Roglic decided it was his turn for a stage win. Jonas had already attacked Kuss twice, so it was Jonas who was within seconds of taking the lead before Kuss was 'gifted' the win. It felt a bit like Roglic was being thrown under the bus when the team made his unhappiness public.Hills3314-11-2026
- POG1, another nice doc about our favourite, I watched most of it with a big smile on my face (except for the bits about his crashes 😢 obvs!).Lozza14-11-2026
- Martinez had a good year! 5th at the Tour was a great result for him, albeit largely through getting in successful breaks, but he held it better than Pidcock who’d done the same.Lozza14-11-2026
- guess what Valgren, you're 34, and no you're not good enough. sorry to say.mij14-11-2026
- I'm a sepp fan and like to think he earned that LOL, indulge me : ) I think Jonas was fine. Roglic did not want to concede to Sepp. and I don't think you ever attack your own teammate in the leaders jersey if he is holding his own, which Sepp just about was.mij14-11-2026
- enough time? he's 24 years old. He's won 10 races over the last 2 years and some are significant. I won't argue about his attitude being good - it needs to improve. But with some coaching and mentorship he has a lot of winning ahead of him and has plenty of time to win a GT. I don't think he will ever beat Tadej, but everyone else is fair game Look at Mas and Valverde - they were 31 and 29, respectively, when they won the Vuelta.mij14-11-2026
- Pogacar has a fine head on his shoulders.Careful investments and a couple of coffee shops sounds like a wonderful way to chill after an intense career.Stay healthy GOAT.
Brucegel14-11-2026 - I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
- I live in Ljubljana and often go on trips in the surrounding area, where I frequently see young cyclists in 'Pogi Team' jerseys training, either alone or in groups. By simply motivating so many young people to take up cycling, Tadej has already achieved something truly significant.Velijo14-11-2026
- That's an excellent point. It's interesting that Vader came to that realization only after he learned that his contract wasn't going to be renewed.
santiagobenites14-11-2026
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