Matxin reveals calendar changes for Tadej Pogacar due to World Championships - "We are going to try so that the pre-Tour calendar is not as busy with races as other years"

The World Championships will have a special edition in 2023, as all disciplines will be combined into a whole event taking place in Scotland. The changes in it's calendar however will affect the riders aiming towards it, and Tadej Pogacar will see some changes according to Joxean Matxin.

"The idea is to face a 2023 in which we take one more step. We have already been number 1 in victories, together with Jumbo-Visma, in 2022," Matxin, manager at UAE Team Emirates, told SoloBici. "It is clear that we have had a great year and it is difficult to repeat it. But we want to improve it and ambition is the last thing we are going to lose. We have increased the quality of the squad with the new signings and we believe that UAE will be more powerful from now on."

The team is undergoing changes in it's squad for 2023, in a positive note, adding substantial amount of firepower to it's mountain block including the likes of Adam Yates and Jay Vine to an already impressive team. Pogacar will ride the Tour de France with the goal of winning it, however the World Championships will come only weeks after, and so Matxin hints that there will be changes in order for the Slovenian to be able to have his best form towards Glasgow.

"With the change of dates for the next World Championships we are going to try so that the pre-Tour calendar is not as busy with races as other years," Matxin explained. “This will allow Pogacar to arrive fresher at the World Championships. So for next year the preparation is not only aimed at arriving fresh at the Tour, but also doing it for the World Championships and facing it with guarantees".

Although the route will largely favour more the classics specialists and sprinters, Pogacar will be a name to take into consideration. "Tadej can win any race he sets his mind to, he is always a favourite," the Spaniard says. His performance at races such as Milano-Sanremo and Tour des Flandres this year suggests that even outside of his preferred terrains, the 24-year old will still be a big threat to his rivals. 

"I am optimistic in that sense, but also respectful with my rivals. His quality in one day races is more than demonstrated, even this year he has been fighting for victory in Flanders in his first participation in the race. That's why I think he's very capable. But a World Championship is a very complicated one-day race, in which all kinds of things can happen in a very short time," Matxin concluded.