Update | Tadej Pogacar skips Strade Bianche, aims for Paris-Nice victory

Tadej Pogacar has announced that he will not be trying to defend his title at Strade Bianche, as was the case with the UAE Tour. The Slovenian instead focuses fully on Paris-Nice.

This was revealed to Sporza, following the Slovenian's dominant performances at Gran Camino and the Vuelta a Andalucia. Pogacar had talked about wanting to change things up and that involves a completely different start to the season, even compared to what was initially planned. However, his start of 2023 in Spain couldn't be more successful.

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Now, after skipping the UAE Tour, Pogacar is also skipping Strade Bianche where he comfortably took the victory last year. With only 1 day between the Italian classic and the start of Paris-Nice, a decision has been made. Pogacar will not race Tirreno-Adriatico unlike his 2022's schedule - which is also the one followed by most spring classics contenders.

"The next race on my schedule is Paris-Nice. If I want to be good there, I also have to practice a few days in advance for the team time trial," he revealed in the interview. A rider of such versatility and quality has to at times make tough decisions and this was one of them.

"It was a difficult decision to cancel that race. The combination of the Strade Bianche and Paris-Nice is an interesting challenge, but it will be for another time," he continued. "From now on I will only ride tough and important races. I want to be good in the Tour of Flanders and Milan-Sanremo. After that, all arrows are aimed at the Tour."