UAE manager proud of the show delivered by his team and Tadej Pogacar: "The attack on the Cipressa was the plan"
Cycling
People were whispering about it but not many could've imagined Tadej Pogacar would actually try it - to attack on Cipressa. At this point, we should be already accustomed to the Slovenian's long-range attacks, but he never ceases to amaze regardless. Today, he once again met his superior in Mathieu van der Poel.
"The attack on the Cipressa was the plan. We wanted to go full throttle uphill," said team manager Mauro Gianetti in post-race interview.
While Tim Wellens and Jhonathan Nárvaez were in the right positions to blow up the race on Cipressa, one man was missing. This week's Milano - Torino winner Isaac Del Toro. "Unfortunately, Del Toro was probably a bit stuck at the back of the peloton, which meant he couldn’t do his turn at the front. Tadej then had to attack maybe a bit too early." Whether the Mexican's presence would've turned the tides of battle? Gianetti doesn't seem to think the 21-year-old would've tipped the scales today.
"But it was a great day, with the three best riders at the front. We were only missing Pedersen," he continues. With those three riders, Gianetti meant Pogacar, Filippo Ganna and Mathieu van der Poel. The latter ultimately came out on top.
It's another podium for Pogacar, yet the victory still seems outside his reach. "It’s okay. We knew that Van der Poel was in super good shape, just like Pipo (Filippo Ganna, ed.). For us, this is a difficult race. But we tried everything. Tadej, as always, raced with a big heart. He delivered a great show."
At UAE Team Emirates - XRG they don’t regret anything, says Gianetti. "The team did everything right and Tadej too. If there are riders who are better than us, we have to acknowledge it. Today Pipo fought like a king. And especially Van der Poel rode a fantastic race. He controlled the race in every situation. He completely deserved this victory."
All ok except that MVDP wasn’t in SUPER shape before, he probably is now so bring on the next monument please.
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- You know, all his critics would be the first to complain about the Tour if he retired.Mistermaumau24-03-2025
- Fine by me, was just trying to understand why you felt Tadej’s and MVDP’s 2 per year was more interesting than 3 and 1 or with the others thrown in the mix. Up to now results of the two eras are not very different but it may have been more interesting to compare the number of races where both actually CONFRONTED each other. I’m pretty sure TP and MVDP don’t have a hope in hell of offering nearly as much rivalry, many years the other 2 did 2 or 3 monuments together, in 1975 they even both did all 5! And that’s without counting classics. Compared to that it sure looks as if today’s riders try to avoid the others. You’re right to spend your time otherwise if you prefer I enjoy learning stuff from people with their personal view, whether I agree or not, debate is a great tool for that but obviously no longer fashionable in the age of Twitter where stating is more important than reasoning. Enjoy the racing/your rides, whatever.Mistermaumau24-03-2025
- Thanks, I will go look for itJumpyjohn24-03-2025
- If this is true then he has checked out mentally. This is a very bad sign for this team.awp24-03-2025
- To be clear, I won't comment on another person or try to change what they do, and I won't uses language like you just did. I can only determine what I do, and I'd like to spend my time celebrating the incredible riding we see and enjoy it as much as possible. I'm a fan, I'd rather be a fan in awe than one going into debates online.RidesHills24-03-2025
- It was a very impressive ride by Matthew Brennan. This kid has some serious talent.
santiagobenites24-03-2025 - RiderHills...well said, the guy is a pain in the arse. He talks utter crap most of the time and off comment. Just ignore the sad little man.
Senna196024-03-2025 - I'm coming to realize that answering your questions will just lead down a rabbit hole of debate. I'd rather avoid that, and instead celebrate the amazing things we see in front of us. Have a good day!RidesHills24-03-2025
- 14 August 2023 Canadian Cycling Magazine.Hill3324-03-2025
- I don't think a single person in the world can go 8:00 or faster in race conditions behind other humansvappaxbipmv24-03-2025