Tadej Pogacar 'a different rider from everybody else' - Key lieutenant argues that "if he gets through the Giro without any problems then he is stronger for the Tour"

Mikkel Bjerg's role at UAE Team Emirates is nowadays not as important as it was until a couple years ago as the team reinforced itself significantly; but at the 2024 Giro d'Italia he is once again in the command of the Tadej Pogacar protection group at a Grand Tour. The Dane argues that his teammate is unlike any other rider in the peloton.

“It can be done to do two Grand Tours and I think Tadej is up for it. I think if he gets through the Giro without any problems then he is stronger for the Tour," Bjerg argues in an interview with GCN where he has nothing but completements for the Slovenian superstar. "This guy is so talented. I don’t think it matters what people think or what they say, because they don’t know him. I think normal rules do not apply to him, his physics are completely different, he is like a different rider from everybody else.”

Same has been argued recently in a feature from Cyclingnews, where several staff members of UAE Team Emirates; from soigneurs to chefs, complemented the difference in Pogacar's habits which possibly make for a key distinction between him and regular pro riders. Bjerg has seen that with his own eyes, having been teammates with Pogacar since 2020 and raced three Tour de France editions alongside him.

However, he is thoroughly excited to return to the Giro d'Italia, where he made his Grand Tour debut back in 2020. “I think hearing from a lot of guys, they say that the level is a little bit less than the Tour which is just exciting because maybe I can do more things, maybe if I start to pull then there are only 10 guys left when you are done," he argues. "So I am really looking forward to doing the Giro d’Italia and it should be something quite new for me now.”

However, he is not only here to help Pogacar; but has two days where the individual time-trials will also provide him with an opportunity at individual success. “I am there to do my job but obviously, if I get the green light to go full gas in the TT I will do it. I think if I can build on the TT shape I had last year then there should be some really nice results coming my way so it is really exciting.”

“I want to be the world champion in the TT, it is no secret that this is my goal," the 25-year old states. Bjerg was a three-time under-23 time-trial champion from 2017 to 2019; his first pro win came only last year however when he won against the clock at the Criterium du Dauphiné.

"Last year I did eight TTs or something like that and only had six chances to go for my own result. When I have six chances in a full year, it is about taking advantage of each opportunity and trying to get to a victory," he concluded.