"Maybe my name will be on the trophy someday" - Tadej Pogacar reacts to multiple awards picked up at Velo d'Or 2024
Cycling
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."
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."
TADEJ POGAČAR VELO D’OR 2024 🏆
— Lukáš Ronald Lukács (@lucasaganronald) December 6, 2024
We all knew it will happen, but it still has to feel good for Tadej to get the best cyclist award in the world. #VelodOr
pic.twitter.com/DwYxQoq3b8
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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