"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?