It was a successful week for Tadej Pogacar. In action every single day, the UAE Team Emirates rider conquered Paris-Nice with a display of power that could not be matched by anyone else.
“I have never participated in Paris-Nice before, because I rode Tirreno-Adriatico twice. But I always feel good in the first races of the season," Pogacar said in a post-race interview. His lead in the French race was far from safe at the start line, but the Slovenian enjoyed what was a stage close to his home in Monaco.
Without early attacks from David Gaudu and Jonas Vingegaard it was all up to the final ascent to the Col d'Èze. But if there were doubts that he could be put into difficulties they were soon cleared, as he attacked in the early slopes of thew ascent to go solo. “Offense is the best defense, they often say. I know these roads very well from my training sessions. I knew how my legs felt and how much I could give to the top. I have classified it well," he describes.
What followed was a glorious triumph, as he descended into Nice by himself, and rode through the final straight - where the 2024 Tour de France will end - alone and in the yellow jersey. A comfortable win, to sum up a very strong week where he won all three mountain stages and the overall classification.
The competition was very good here. It is special to be on the podium with Gaudu and Vingegaard, because they are also top class. I can be more relaxed with this victory," he concluded.
Pogacar is riding the spring classics with high ambitions and his form is in the perfect place. Not having trained at altitude, Pogacar will now race Milano-Sanremo where he will try to finish what he started last year, and then the Tour des Flandres most likely brings in the biggest challenge of his spring.
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