"She is a huge help to me, more than I can admit" - Tadej Pogacar dedicates Strade Bianche success to partner Urska Zigart

On Saturday afternoon, Tadej Pogacar made a triumphant return to road racing as he soloed for 81km en route to a stunning Strade Bianche victory.

Post-race, the Slovenian was immediately embraced warmly by his loving partner, and pro-cyclist for Liv AlUla Jayco in her own right, Urska Zigart. "She is a huge help to me, more than I can admit," a beaming Pogacar said in conversation with In de Leiderstrui, dedicating his win to Zigart.

"Without her, I would not be able to do what I do, she makes my life easier on the bike," an emotionally charged Pogacar continues. "I try to return that if I can. I was thrilled to have her here with me this week. I'm grateful for her."

With the immense nature of his victory and the fact that Zigart was there to welcome him across the finish line, does this go down as his greatest-ever performance? "I don't know if this is my best victory ever. In any case, I will never forget it, because every victory has its own story," he analyses. "I'm trying to forget about last season's injury. I'm focusing on new things and after today I have regained all the confidence that I may have lost after the crash in Liège. I've had a great winter and have received confirmation that all is well."