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Tadej Pogacar adamant of UAE Team Emirates at Giro d'Italia: "I’m used to the media and my competitors who try and undermine us"
CyclingTuesday, 14 May 2024 at 11:11
During the rest day of the Giro d'Italia many riders hosted press conferences and talked about the very eventful first week of the race. One of them being Tadej Pogacar, the race leader was adamant in the team's strength despite the commentary that anteceded the race regarding it's strength.
“I’m used to the media and my competitors who try and undermine us and that we don’t have a good team. I think everyone can say this but we’ve proved over and over again that we’re one of the best teams," Pogacar said, in words relayed by GCN. "Even if we’re not all the biggest names of the UAE team we’re still working so well and everyone is giving 100 percent. I’m super happy to be part of it and have this great atmosphere in the race and at the dinner table. We’re like a family. It shows on the road that we’re really strong."
With most of the team focusing on the Tour de France, it was very much a list of secondary support riders heading to the Giro including Rafal Majka, Mikkel Bjerg and Felix Grossschartner. The team is far from it's best however against modest competition, it's been more than enough to control the race to UAE's favour which has already earned victories in both summit finishes. “Luckily the first week went super well for me on the climbs and in the time trial, so I could take some time on my competitors but I think that we should be prepared, especially for the third week," Pogacar added. His lead is already of several minutes and very consolidates, despite having had a small illness in the first week.
"With the competitors, and with big attacks from them, especially with Ineos, with Thymen Arensmen and Geraint," he is aware of. "They have good hands to play but otherwise, I think it’s going to be hard racing all over the stages. Anything can happen and I just need to be ready to have a mindset for the stages and keep pushing until the end, even if I have a bad day. That’s why it’s good to have that time gap."
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