Whilst the Olympic Games are perhaps not as big of a deal for road cycling as it is on the track, the fact remains the Olympics only happen every four years, offering riders a limited number of chances during their career. Arguably, Tadej Pogacar might never get a better chance to go for gold than this year at Paris 2024, but the Slovenian has recently announced his withdrawal from participation.
"It's true that I was very tired last year after the Tour de France, but my preparation was very different then. Now I've done both the Giro and the Tour. I'm mentally exhausted and I want to relax," the history making leader of UAE Team Emirates tells NOS from a post-Tour de France criterium on Tuesday. "Last year I didn't do that after the Tour, I kept my form up and couldn't enjoy cycling after the World Championships. I also rode a very bad World Championship time trial a few days after the road race. I was completely exhausted and felt bad for two months. I never want that again."
Whilst tiredness and fatigue following his Giro d'Italia and Tour de France heroics undoubtedly played a part, the very controversial non selection of Pogacar's partner, Urska Zigart from the women's lineup has been heavily rumoured to have also played a role. "She completely deserved a place... but okay, now we're going on holiday together," Pogacar says of the situation refusing the idea that he pulled out to get back at the Slovenian organisation. "It's really primarily about fatigue and avoiding a dip similar to the one I got into last year."
After a short and well deserved rest, the World Championships in Zurich become the Slovenian's main goal with the aim of becoming just the third rider ever, after Eddy Merckx and Stephen Roche to complete a Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, Rainbow Jersey triple crown in the same year.
"I want to win there. I was in top form during the Tour de France and by the end of September I want to be in the same condition as last month. That also requires rest," Pogacar concludes. "And so now in August I'm going on holiday to the beach, that's the first time in ages!"
🇸🇮 Pogacar, 2⃣0⃣2⃣4⃣ season (so far) ✅ 52 racedays, 18 victories* (~35%) ✅ 6 stage wins in both Giro & #TDF2024 ↪️ Only two other riders did the same ✅ 39 leader's jerseys, new record (Merckx: 37) ✅ On his own: 7th UCI team ranking 🤯 The definition of DOMINATION
