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"If anybody can do that, it’s Tadej" - Tim Wellens interested in Tadej Pogacar's Giro-Tour double
CyclingSaturday, 06 January 2024 at 12:30
Tim Wellens has signed with UAE Team Emirates in 2023 and became a valuable domestique for Tadej Pogacar. Although he's been hampered by injuries, in 2024 he looks to show his best level and be part of Tadej Pogacar's challenge to win the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.
“What impresses me the most about him is that he always keeps his two feet on the ground and he doesn’t feel better than anyone else. And that’s even though he’s the one rider that could feel better than anyone else, because he’s the best rider in the world, “ Wellens said in an interview with Cyclingnews, regarding his teammates implosion on the Col de la Loze. “But no, he’s stayed perfectly normal and the way you see him on social media and TV is exactly the way he is in real life. He’s not playing a role... He likes what he does, and for sure he’s very playful. But apart from being a good rider, he’s easy to bond with because he’s a very nice person as well.
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Wellens reports on a personality that looks very friendly with other riders and very popular among fans and fellow riders. His aggressive style of racing also makes him a wildcard even in races that don't suit him as well. Wellens, as a classics rider and puncheur, can often become part of the plan to help surprise climbers who re not as much used to such type of racing where the Slovenian also thrives.
Pogacar will make his debut at the Giro next spring, and then will race the Tour alongside three other leaders in Adam Yates, Juan Ayuso and João Almeida. “I think the team is very smart and when it comes to this challenge, they know what they’re doing. They’re not just doing it whatever. He’s proved three years in a row that he’s the best rider in the world and so there’s no one better who could try to do it. So if anybody can do that, it’s Tadej.”
At the Giro it will not be easy for there to be competition if he shows his very best level. However at the Tour that will not be the case. One such rival is Remco Evenepoel, who as a compatriot will be a rider to watch for Wellens as well.
“For sure Remco’s got a big chance, even if it’s not as big as Tadej, though maybe I’m biased," he says. "But really, nobody doubts Remco, not about what he can do in the Tour. If he can win the Vuelta a España, then of course he can win the Tour.”
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