OFFICIAL: Tadej Pogacar will race 2024 Giro d'Italia

Tadej Pogacar is racing the Giro d'Italia. This has been confirmed by the race organizers this Sunday afternoon in a video shared on social media.

The news come as a shock. Not because the Slovenian was not interested in the route of the Italian Grand Tour, but because after pondering on the calendar, it had been hinted that he was very likely focusing on the spring classics and Tour de France once again - a formula that has proven very successful throughout his career. Sponsorship pressure sees him likely returning to the Tour, but that will be his second Grand Tour of the season if it's to happen. Pogacar will lead UAE Team Emirates at the Giro d'Italia.

The Corsa Rosa begins on the 4th of May in Venaria Reale and ends in Rome. The route packs in 68 kilometers of time-trialing and and a mountainous route which has it's first summit finish immediately on stage 2 at the Santuario di Oropa. Pogacar will likely race the Giro-Tour double and with this, forego the spring classics to a certain degree. We do not know yet which schedule he will then follow to prepare for the race.

The Giro is the only Grand Tour Pogacar is yet to race, and with this he will also have the opportunity to complete the list of victories in all Grand Tours. However, the pink jersey and overall victory will certainly be his goal. He should battle alongside the likes of Simon Yates, Geraint Thomas, Nairo Quintana, Wout van Aert and many more.