It's not taken long for Tadej Pogacar to start causing waves at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. Just a handful of stages in, the UAE Team Emirates leader has been attacking and vibrant throughout. With such a big year ahead though, this has led to some criticism of his lack of conservatism.
Nowhere was the recklessly spirited style of Pogacar more evident than in the finale of stage 3 when the Slovenian attacked in the finale of a sprint stage alongside his main Maglia Rosa rival Geraint Thomas. The duo almost managed to hold off the sprint trains before eventually being caught in the final few hundred metres as Tim Merlier took the stage win.
Was this use of energy advisable though? "Yes! Stop saying it shouldn't be advisable! Let's stop discussing this like it's a bad thing. I think it's great!" ex-pro turned analyst Adam Blythe answers emphatically on Eurosport's coverage of the race. "They spent two hours just cruising along...and then they made a three-minute effort and we're looking at it like it might ruin their chances at the Tour de France. Let's not be ridiculous."
"It's two and a half, three minutes. That isn't going to ruin them at the Tour de France. If he [Pogacar] does that every day, yes, but he won't do," continues Blythe. "He loves winning on his bike, regardless of money, he just absolutely loves winning. He wants to be the greatest ever. That's like putting his stamp on it: bunch sprint day, attacking near the final, winning a sprint that should have been a bunch sprint. Why not go for it? If he wants that status he needs to do those kind of rides."
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