"That's not good for me and the others" - Tadej Pogacar on European championships schedule, Vingegaard and Evenepoel

Tadej Pogacar has made the trip from Rwanda to France, even if not as fast as Remco Evenepoel, and is now ready to try and finally conquer the European Championships' road race for the first time in his career. It is a viable goal, but he has to go through amongst others Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard who makes a return to racing after winning the Vuelta a España.

In Drôme-Ardèche, Pogacar is joined by his partner Urska Zigart as was the case at the World Championships. "It's nice that we can travel together from race to race during this period. If I could decide, I would always do it this way, because I appreciate moments like these," the rainbow jersey said in a press conference, with words collected by Sporza.

However, after the physical and psychological fatigue he felt at the Tour de France, he has returned to his best level and is showing is best legs again. The solo win in Kigali was more than proof that we're having the best Pogacar. "I feel pretty good, especially now that we're so far into the season and after a long journey". However, he knows that he can't replicate what he's done in Zurich and Rwanda over the past two years here in France with this course.

"These are very difficult climbs. Compared to the World Championships, this is also a much shorter race and much more explosive," he aknowledges "That wasn't the case in Rwanda, even though that course was designed that way. But here the climbs aren't too long and steep. It's going to be punchy. We'll see more riders fighting for the win than at the World Championships. It's going to be a fantastic race."

Pogacar will face Remco Evenepoel once again, the man who overtook him in the time-trial worlds and came closest to catching him in the road race. "He showed how good he is on Sunday. He finished second after two bike changes. Remco is really well prepared, motivated, and looks super strong. He flew in the time trial, you know. He's in great shape, and mentally he's always prepared and always eager to win such races. He'll be very good."

Alongside the Belgian will be Jonas Vingegaard, a wildcard in this racing taking into consideration that his form is relatively unknown, as he hasn't raced for three weeks since winning the Vuelta. "It's been a long time since we've raced against each other in a one-day race. But the fact that he's here means he'll be very good."

"This race is about 70 kilometers shorter, and that's something completely different. To break away, you need a lot of power. Maybe, if there's a chance. I don't think so. But never say never." However Slovenia is indeed more depleted here than at the worlds, without Primoz Roglic, and other teams may want to take advantage of that.

But Pogacar doesn't want to waste an opportunity to conquer one of the biggest titles that he doesn't yet have in his palmarès: "The last few editions didn't suit me that well. Four years ago, it was more of a climber's thing, and even there a fast guy (Sonny Colbrelli, ed.) won. The European Championships are always difficult".

Asked about the race's placement in the calendar, he admitted that he was not quite happy with it, making it a very tight schedule between big goals - adding to his upcoming presence at Tre Valli Varesine, confirmed today by UAE Team Emirates - XRG.

"I can't just randomly move a date forward now. But I would consider putting the European Championships before the end of the season. And certainly not if there are already three races on that day (the Coppa Agostoni and Cro Race although Pogacar refers to Giro dell'Emilia, ed.). You can't organize a fourth race then, because then you won't have any riders."

"That's not good for me and the others," he adds. "Because at the moment you also have the Giro dell'Emilia and the Cro Race. So many riders are forced to choose. Our calendar is never perfect, but if you ask me, I would change a lot".