"There will be a lot of dead bodies in the final" - Tadej Pogacar's thoughts on the eve of Strade Bianche
Cycling
Strade Bianche will take place this Saturday afternoon and with the number 1 is Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates - XRG, the defending champion. His partner Urska Zigart is having the number 1 bib in the women's race, and both attented the race presentation this Friday afternoon where the World Champion shared his thoughts ahead of a brutal day of racing.
"Nothing lasts. One day I will lose more races than I win. It should indeed be a great race for us. My condition is good, so I am ready. I am really looking forward to riding that great race tomorrow," Pogacar said in the race presentation.
Last year he attacked with over 80 kilometers to go to take a convincing stage win, and many expect a similar outcome this year after what he achieved in 2024. "I don't know. Last year it was quite early. The Strade Bianche is a long and tough race. There will be a lot of dead bodies in the final."
At this point, despite some rivals having great form and this often being a chaotic race, no-one realistically expected the World Champion to be matched. But he does not want to think that way and doesn't put himself in the 'unbeatable' position. "Every race I've done so far has been important. And I've lost a lot of them. Nothing lasts. Not even winning a lot. I know that one day I'll lose more races than I win."
Backing him up will be Isaac del Toro (second at the Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior) and Tim Wellens who should play a key support role when the action gets heated. The Belgian was also asked on the podium what he will be doing during the race and his answer was quite simple.
"What is my role? To drop Tadej off in the most relaxed position possible on the gravel sections. When everyone starts to get tired, Tadej will attack. I understand that most riders are afraid of Tadej. Everyone knows that he is the best rider and that it is obvious that he will win. But you still have to do it," he concluded.
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1️⃣ Partners in life, partners in crime 💞#StradeBianche @CA_Ita LaPresse pic.twitter.com/JdBGoZk1p3
— Strade Bianche (@StradeBianche) March 7, 2025
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