"I’d be very surprised if UAE let Tadej Pogacar ride the Giro" - Team Jayco AlUla boss Matt White has his doubts

Rumours on the grapevine are that Tadej Pogacar could be set to change tactics in 2024 after two successive years of missing out on Grand Tour success. Team Jayco AlUla boss Matt White however, doubts the chances of the Slovenian being allowed to ride the Giro d'Italia.

As soon as the route and profile of 2024's first Grand Tour was revealed, it seemed to be perfect for a rider like Pogacar. “Unless there’s a concrete deal in place, I doubt that the Giro organisers made it softer for one man," says White, who maintains his position that the Maillot Jaune will be Pogacar's main aim, to GCN. "I still think it’s possible to do the Giro and Tour but there’s always a risk going into the Giro, not knowing what the weather will be and not knowing how deep you’ll have to go in order to win. You just don't know how you’re going to bounce out of the Giro before you have to do it all again at the Tour."

Marco Pantani was the last man to complete the Giro d'Italia - Tour de France double in the same season, all the way back in 1998. “We’ve not seen the Tour route yet but rumour has it that it's not going to be easy with a mountain stage on day four. You’re going to have to be good right off the mark at the Tour. That’s a risk if you’re doing the Giro," White continues. "The only person to come close to Pantani is Chris Froome in 2018 when he won the Giro with two days to go and then he podiumed at the Tour de France.”

“At UAE they’re also trying to manage a few stars,” he analyses. "They’ve got Adam Yates, Joao Almeida, Juan Ayuso... all good race programmes. So they’re not just managing one rider. They’ve a lot of stars in their team, so if Pogacar goes to the Tour and the Giro as the leader, what does that leave the other riders with? The Giro and the Vuelta double works, it’s a safer option and if there’s another double option that’s on the table, then it’s the Tour and the Vuelta. I’d be very surprised if UAE let Pogacar ride the Giro."

“I also can’t see Roglič doing the Giro. He’s the defending champion but he’s only got a limited amount of Tours left. He’s robust enough to try the double but the only thing left in his palmarès to achieve is the Tour de France. So why risk going to the Giro, and risk not being at your optimal condition at the Tour de France."