There was no doubting who was the strongest at the 2024 Giro d'Italia as Tadej Pogacar thundered to a comprehensive domination of the general classification, taking the Maglia Rosa by a touch short of ten minutes. Can the UAE Team Emirates leader carry this form into the Tour de France?
That remains a big question. With the Giro d'Italia pretty much secured for a while, many experts and analysts were questioning why the Slovenian wasn't saving himself for the upcoming Tour de France as Pogacar intends to do something the likes of Alberto Contador and Chris Froome failed to do in their peak and become the first man to complete a Giro d'Italia/Tour de France double since Marco Pantani back in 1998.
"I was out of words that I could be here in front of the Colosseum in Rome, lifting the trophy alongside Dani Martinez and Geraint Thomas," Pogacar reflected in conversation with Eurosport following the post-race podium ceremony. "It's been a fantastic ride throughout the three weeks. I'm really happy to be alive at this time and doing cycling."
With the Tour de France less than a month away however, will Pogacar allow himself some time to enjoy this success? "I think now one week a bit easier, maybe enjoy some coffee rides and some good cake," he assesses with a smile. "Then go to altitude and push a little bit on the pedals, try to increase the level, if it's possible. If I arrive at the Tour de France with these legs that I have now, I think it's going to be just fine. The most important thing is to recover now."
With the likes of Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic making their return from injury at the Criterium du Dauphine and Pogacar's main rival, Jonas Vingegaard still unsure of a Tour de France appearance following injury, Pogacar will start the race for the Maillot Jaune as favourite next month.
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