"I prefer the idea of being a Classics rider who wins Grand Tours" - Tadej Pogacar set to reignite his love affair with the Spring at Strade Bianche

This weekend, world champion Tadej Pogacar makes a much-anticipated first appearance on European roads of the 2025 season, returning to the scene of one of his more epic performances of 2024 - and that's saying something - Strade Bianche.

In his very first race of the campaign last year, the Slovenian was already sending out messages of intent as soloed for over 80km to Strade Bianche glory for the second time in his career, setting a standard he could keep up for the rest of 2024 as he took 2 Grand Tours, 12 stage wins, 2 Monuments and a first-ever Rainbow Jersey in one of the most impressive individual campaigns the sport has ever seen. Whilst the Grand Tours are arguably the scene of Pogacar's most famous wins, it's the Spring Classics that the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader loves the most.

"I prefer the idea of being a Classics rider who wins Grand Tours, even if I started with a victory in the Tour," Pogacar explained previously to L'Equipe. "I love the Classics, they're pure adrenaline, a one-day shock that has nothing to do with suffering spread out over three weeks."

"You have to be physically and psychologically ready to battle for six hours, often in bad weather, on roads that are always the same and that everyone knows by heart. The good move can start anywhere, you have to be a bit of a gambler, not make mistakes," continues the 26-year-old excitedly. "On that one day, you have to be the strongest, the luckiest, the most inspired, everything has to line up, there are no catch-up sessions. As everything is decided in a single day, the emotion of victory is incomparable."

As mentioned, that all starts for him this weekend at Strade Bianche. Ahead of the race, he gave his preview to UAE Team Emirates - XRG's official website. “Strade is a race where I have some great memories," Pogacar began. "My track record there is pretty good and I hope to be up at the pointy end of the action again on Saturday. We can expect some strong rivals – the startlist is always on a high level for these big races and it should make things exciting both for us and for the fans."