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"We are in a golden age of Slovenian cycling" - Tadej Pogacar shares delight at Primoz Roglic's Vuelta a Espana victory and previews World Championship road race
CyclingTuesday, 10 September 2024 at 12:30
For the fourth time in his career, Primoz Roglic took home the Red Jersey as winner of the Vuelta a Espana last weekend. In doing so, Roglic completed a year of Slovenian dominance in the Grand Tours.
Earlier in 2024, Tadej Pogacar completed destroyed the field at the Giro d'Italia, winning a total of six stages, the King of the Mountains classification and the Maglia Rosa by just short of ten minutes from Daniel Martinez. A short while later, Pogacar travelled to France and reclaimed the Maillot Jaune from his great rival Jonas Vingegaard, plus six more stages.
"Primoz Roglic and I have lost count. We are in a golden age of Slovenian cycling," Pogacar says proudly of his and his compatriot Roglic's Grand Tour dominance in 2024, in conversation with La Gazzetta dello Sport. "There is a very good spirit, and I am happy to be part of it. Let's hope we can add the World Championships to our list!"
In the upcoming World Championships in Zurich, the rumours are that both Pogacar and Roglic will be teaming up for Slovenia, forming a formidable leadership duo in the fight for the road race Rainbow Jersey, something that has so far proved elusive for the nation. "Yes, as Slovenia we have never really shone at the World Championships," Pogacar admits. "That is certainly no secret. I really hope that we can finally change that and win the gold."
Pogacar in action for Slovenia at the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow
"The course? It's tough, but not too tough. Still, it's the riders who make the race," Pogacar continues. "Last year, people were thinking about a sprint at the World Championships, but we were far from that. This year, it's a bit more for climbers than in 2023, but above all, it's a punchy circuit for explosive riders. It also has some technical parts. All in all, perfect for a World Championship."
In terms of rivals, a few names in particular stick out for Pogacar. "If Mathieu van der Poel is in super good shape, he will be able to fight for it, surprise and win. I am sure that Wout van Aert could have flown on a course like this, but unfortunately he is not there. And Remco Evenepoel is, just like me, a very versatile rider who can win on any terrain," assesses the UAE Team Emirates rider.
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- I wouldn’t assume Tadej can’t win at cross. He did a cross race, not a World Cup, a few years ago and crushed the field. It was a minor race. But he can win anywhere.mij23-12-2024
- I wonder what would happen if Pogacar attacked on the Cipressa instead of the Poggio in San Remo? Would MvdPoel still be able to follow?Ride197423-12-2024
- Debatable?Ride197423-12-2024
- The point is obvious: MVDP can beat Tadej on CX/Road and Tadej cannot. What is so hard to understand???averagecyclist22-12-2024
- Funny... one doper enabler backing the doper he enabled ! Who would have guessed.frieders322-12-2024
- Wouldn’t be here if I wasn’tMistermaumau22-12-2024
- So you're bored, got itvappaxbipmv22-12-2024
- Does everything need to have a point? If so, 99% of the internet should be wiped away. In relation to recent articles with quotes from other riders, my statement points to the ever more obvious reason why they are asked to comment on the effect of his return.Mistermaumau22-12-2024
- If anyone would be interested enough to launch an official survey as to who out of these three should shut up, I don’t know who’d win but I’m due Boonen would be way back in 3rd place.Mistermaumau22-12-2024
- And your point is what exactly?vappaxbipmv22-12-2024