Tadej Pogacar puts Giro d'Italia aside for 2024: "The Tour is my main goal every year"

The writing was already on the wall but Tadej Pogacar virtually confirms that he will not take part in the 2024 Giro d'Italia. In a year with both Olympic Games and World Championships giving him a chance of career-changing glory, it has become a too packed calendar to fit in the Corsa Rosa.

“Contesting the Giro is one of my dreams, but I can't say anything about it yet. In December I determine my competition program with my coaches. But it could be that I have too many obligations for the Giro," Pogacar admitted in an interview with Cyclingnews. Although he's expressed the will to race the Giro and it had been rumoured that next year could be his debut in the Italian Grand Tour, he will ultimately already have a lot of racing in his agenda.

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He's talked very good of the Tour de France route, which is also the sponsor's main goal. In addition to that he should race the spring classics, where he showed immense quality this year by fighting for several wins, and inclusively taking triumphs at the Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallone. He will then prepare for the Tour de France and stay in France for the Paris Olympics where he should be one of the big favourites.

That is already enough of a reason. The World Championships and Il Lombardia, both races where he will be a big contender, should make for the late-season goals. Even though Juan Ayuso and João Almeida are set to make their Tour de France debut, the team will likely continue to deposit their chips in the chances of Pogacar.

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“The Tour is an even bigger competition. If you want to have a chance of winning the final, you have to fully concentrate on that," he says. "You have to approach the Giro with respect and that is why it is important to know whether I can arrive at the start in top form. I have now ridden the Tour four times and won twice. When we talk about Grand Tours, the Tour is my main goal every year.”

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