Tadej Pogacar on van Aert and van der Poel: "I don't think they are afraid of anyone in Flanders"

Tadej Pogacar has had a brilliant start to the season, however his focus has so far been in the stage-races. In the cobbled classics he'll only begin his campaign in late March, and he recognizes the likely battle with Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert.

“For me, the Tour of Flanders is a great race. I don't know how I'm going to beat them. I'm happy if I can follow them and then ride a better final than last year," Pogacar told Sporza. The Slovenian rode to victory at the Clasica Jaen Paraiso Interior and Vuelta a Andalucia, showing great form right from his first day of racing.

He will now take part in Paris-Nice, however this spring his main goals will be based around the Tour des Flandres. Last year he rode to fourth place, however always in the fight for the victory and having flown up the main climbs of the day. Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert will be among his main rivals there.

“I don't think they are afraid of me. I don't think they are afraid of anyone in Flanders. They have so much talent for such competitions, and so much power. They are 100 percent convinced that they can be the best," he continued.

For the time being however he will race Paris-Nice where he will go face to face with Jonas Vingegaard who had an equally dominant start to the spring at Gran Camino. Milano-Sanremo and Liège-Bastogne-Liège will also be part of his spring goals, but that provides more opportunities for a big win.