Tadej Pogacar: "Strade is a race I really like and would love to win"

The Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar has started off another season in his traditional way as he dominated the UAE Tour winning both summit finishes. As he returns to Europe, he will have a block of racing in Italy, where his ambitions remain just as high.

"It's no secret that Strade is a race I really like and would love to win, but we'll also have Covi who is on great form and experienced guys like Ulissi too so we're well covered," Pogacar said. He has over the last two seasons finished 13th and 7th in the race, and is touted as one of the main favourites alongside Julian Alaphilippe for this Saturday's race, as last year's winner Mathieu van der Poel is still training after a forced recovery period due to a back injury.

He has also talked about Tirreno-Adriatico, where he stormed to the overall win last year. The stage-race starts on Monday, only two days after the big effort he's expected to make in Tuscany: "Tirreno-Adriatico was a big victory in my career last year and one I hold dear, I'm excited to go back there. They have changed the race format a little bit from last year but as always it will be long and hard stages every day.

UAE Team Emirates for Strade Bianche: Tadej Pogacar, Alessandro Covi, Diego Ulissi, Marc Soler, Max Richeze, Vegard Stake Laengen and Mikkel Bjerg.