"If you have his legs, you don't have to be nervous" - UAE's unsung hero insists Tadej Pogacar isn't afraid of anyone

Mikkel Bjerg has been one of the real unsung heroes of the UAE Team Emirates - XRG lineup over recent seasons, loyally and determinedly giving his all in support of Tadej Pogacar and co. Modestly though, the Dane insists his work is made easy by having such a supreme leader as Pogacar.

Obviously, Pogacar isn't present at every race Bjerg competes, but when the duo are combined, things are much more enjoyable for the Dane. "It makes it easier for me," admits UAE Team Emirates - XRG's loyal servant, in conversation with In de Leiderstrui. "My role is clear and I don't have to do any antics myself. Tadej's presence makes it very simple: if he wants us to ride, we will. I think it's great that he's coming back to the classics and is going to ride more of them. That makes it easier for us, because we have a big asset."

With Bjerg set to play a key role in the Classics, he is confident that alongside the likes of Nils Politt, Tim Wellens, Antonio Morgado and others, that UAE Team Emirates - XRG has plenty of top quality support for Pogacar this spring. "We have a very strong team for the classics, with several options. So we can play different cards," he explains. "I think it will be very nice to watch. We are in a good position when it comes to most races, I think."

"We still probably have to do a few more races to see what the dynamics are like. We have also got some new guys. But I am also very positive about that," Bjerg adds, noting the likes of Jhonatan Narvaez and Florian Vermeersch among others. "We have to learn how to play our cards best in the final and hopefully we can book several nice victories."

And despite the immense competition from the likes of Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, Bjerg is fully confident in his team leader. "If you have his legs, you don't have to be nervous. You just have to do your thing on the bike," he laughs. "When the race gets tough and long, he's just on a different level. He, Van der Poel and Van Aert just have that little bit extra. If you're talking about guys who can really ride a monument, you might only get to five. And Tadej is definitely one of them."

"He's not afraid of those other guys," Bjerg concludes. "For him it's just cycling, having fun on the bike and if he goes and they can follow him, then they probably more than deserve it. And then there could always be a sprint in which Tadej can be beaten."