"I can't wait for Zurich. We're ready" - Tadej Pogacar sends a clear signal to his World Championships competitors with a solo win in Montreal

As natural as breathing, Tadej Pogacar won another WorldTour classic with all the competitors destined to only watch the number 1 on his back promptly disappear with finish line still nowhere in the sight. With a massive lead, Pogacar had enough time to greet the Canadian crowds as he rolled towards his second victory at the GP Montreal in a rather moderate pace.

In the flash interview after the race, Pogacar talked about the race from his perspective. As is usual for the 25-year-old, he opened modestly, thanking his UAE Team Emirates teammates for their loyal work. "The team did a super job, we did it exactly as we wanted today. It was great racing, hats off to all the teammates. Without them the plan wouldn't have been possible. Luckily I also had good legs to finish it."

The Slovenian phantom did not want to roll the dice on the last time up Cote de Camillien-Houde and thus attacked already on the penultimate lap, 23 kilometers from the finish. "That was the plan," he confirms. "We executed it very well. I'm very happy with this victory, we did it as a team."

It was unusually warm in Canada, which made the tough race even harder. "It was a very hot, tough day. We did one lap less than two years ago but that didn't change anything. It was a super tough race on a beautiful course with nice weather, even if it was a bit too hot. But I can't complain," grinned the winner of two grand tours from this year.

After a long break such as the one Pogacar enjoyed after his Tour de France triumph, you're always nervous to get back in action. But with the victory in Montreal, the preparation for the World Championships seems to be going in the right direction. "It's a nice mental boost. It gives me extra confidence for the race in two weeks, I can't wait for Zurich. I'm going home now to make the final preparations and complete the last training sessions. We're ready." The road race of the World Championships in Switzerland is scheduled for Sunday 29 September.