UAE Team Emirates – XRG refuse to deny Pogacar’s Paris-Roubaix plans: "First, we have to wait and see how Milano-Sanremo goes”

Tadej Pogacar’s brilliance continues to be the main headline of cycling, with his recent victory at Strade Bianche adding another remarkable chapter to his career. However, it wasn’t just his dominant performance that stood out, it was his ability to bounce back from a terrifying crash that left spectators holding their breath.

With 51 kilometres remaining, Pogacar hit the ground at nearly 70 km/h, a fall that could have ended his race. Instead, he got back up, scraped and bruised, swapped his bike, and charged forward to victory. Reflecting on the moment, UAE Team Emirates – XRG sports director Andrej Hauptman acknowledged the unpredictable nature of gravel racing in an interview with S.Sportal.

"A lot can happen on such sections, for us it is the most stressful thing. Tadej was top-notch. He fell 50 kilometers from the finish, but fortunately without serious consequences. We will definitely remember this race."

When asked about his immediate reaction to Pogacar’s crash, Hauptman admitted that there was no time to process emotions, only to react and manage the situation.

"It happens so quickly that you don't have time to think. You're solving the situation. There's no time for stress."

Crashes are an ever-present danger in professional cycling, and Pogacar’s ability to recover and still win underscores his mental and physical resilience. The unpredictability of racing was further highlighted by Jonas Vingegaard’s withdrawal from Paris-Nice, where a crash abruptly ended his campaign.

"Every kilometer in the race can be decisive. You have to be focused at all times, especially on classics or technical stages. If you lose concentration for just a moment, everything can turn upside down," Hauptman noted.

With Strade Bianche now a week in the past, Pogacar has shifted his focus to his next major challenge: Milan-Sanremo on March 22. Despite the bruises and soreness from his crash, he has already resumed training and remains fully committed to his preparation.

"Tadej is a cyclist who never complains. You can imagine that the nights after a fall like that are not the easiest. The next day or two in particular are the most painful. Tadej says that everything is going according to plan and he is already preparing for the next race. On Monday, he immediately did a lighter training session. For now, everything is going according to plan and he is focusing on Milan–San Remo."

Milan-Sanremo is often described as one of the most unpredictable Monuments, with its long distance and explosive finale making it a challenge for any type of rider to master. While it may not be the ideal race for Pogacar’s strengths, his determination to win it is unquestionable.

"As before any important race, the last week is crucial. For now, everything is going according to plan. Milan–San Remo is not a race that would suit Tadej the most, but he loves challenges. He believes that one day he will be able to win. He knows exactly how to race in such races. Every moment in the race is a chapter in itself. In cycling, a huge number of factors influence the outcome, so we will have to wait for Saturday."

One of the biggest questions looming over Pogacar’s spring schedule is whether he will make his debut at Paris-Roubaix. The Slovenian has hinted at his interest in the race, but his team has been careful not to confirm anything yet.

When asked about the possibility of Pogačar racing Roubaix this year, Hauptman remained cautious.

"First, we have to wait and see how Milano-Sanremo goes, then we will talk about the next races."

So that’s neither a yes or no. Will he? Won’t he? And if he does, could he really beat Mathieu van der Poel?