"This year, when Tadej races, he races to win" - Joxean Matxin about keeping Tadej Pogacar 'hungry' throughout 2024

This summer, history books may be rewritten once again as Tadej Pogacar attempts the infamous Giro-Tour double. Something that not even some of the best GC riders, such as Alberto Contador or Chris Froome, could accomplish. His UAE Team Emirates boss Joxean Matxin spoke to Velo about the approach he and his team take to ensure the Slovenian's triumph.

"We knew this year was the year to do both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour. But we knew it would be extremely complicated, especially with the Tour de France and Vingegaard coming second," Matxin explained. "We had to completely rethink the program, and make sacrifices."

"The strategy we eventually decided with Tadej is based on freshness and motivation. We had to make two key decisions with Tadej’s schedule to save his form and keep him hungry. We decided no cobblestones in spring, which was very hard for Tadej. And we plan no races between the Giro and the Tour."

"This year, when Tadej races, he races to win," Matxin pointed out. "He doesn’t race to train. There are no 'unnecessary' races. If any rider is capable of doing this double, it’s Tadej, and it’s with this program we have made."

"Tadej wanted a new challenge. He didn’t mentally want to do the same program, the same races, and the same calendar," Matxín said. "The ability to train and approach summer differently is good for his motivation and to prepare him for this challenge. We’ve seen Tadej is best with new stimulus. That’s how we have confidence in this double."