"Maybe my name will be on the trophy someday" - Tadej Pogacar reacts to multiple awards picked up at Velo d'Or 2024

On Friday night, the 2024 Velo d'Or ceremony took place in France. As expected, Tadej Pogacar was front and centre of the glitz and glam, picking up multiple awards after his record breaking season in 2024.

The first of the accolades given to the UAE Team Emirates leader, was the 2024 Eddy Merckx Trophy award, given to the best Classics rider of the year. "I didn't expect it. I'm thrilled," reacted Pogacar after being handed the trophy on stage by Belgian Classics legend, Tom Boonen. "Maybe my name will be on the trophy someday."

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Taking victory at two monuments in Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Il Lombardia, Pogacar also triumphed at one-day races such as Strade Bianche, GP de Montreal, Giro dell'Emilia and of course the World Championship road race. Even in the two one-day races Pogacar didn't take victory in 2024, he finished 3rd at Milano-Sanremo and 7th at GP de Quebec.

"They only last a day, not the whole month," he says, explaining why he enjoys the Classics as much as he does. "All the stress you experience in grand tours is so intense, this is just a day. It's more contained, and therefore more fun."

After finishing 3rd in 2024 though, Milano-Sanremo is still missing from his glistening palmares, much to Pogacar's annoyance. "It's not a secret, no. I've been drawn to San Remo every year, and I think this year will be no different," the UAE Team Emirates leader assesses honestly. "I'll keep trying. Until I win it."

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