"We are ready to fight" - Tadej Pogacar looking to quickly bounce back from Sanremo disappointment at Volta a Catalunya

After narrowly missing out on victory last weekend at Milano-Sanremo, Tadej Pogacar is quickly back into the action later today as he begins the 2024 Volta a Catalunya.

"It was an easy travel here, than I had an easy ride yesterday so it's all good!" said a smiling Pogacar in his pre-stage 2 interview with Eurosport. "The weather is nice and let's hope for an easier start today. But, I think we can expect a hard final so let's go."

This is actually Pogacar's debut in the Volta a Catalunya although his inexperience doesn't stop him from starting as the heavy favourite for overall victory. With this also his only stage-race prior to the 2024 Giro d'Italia, it's a good early season tester for the UAE Team Emirates leader.

"It suits me well, it's nice climbs and I've never done it before. The other stage races I've done and step-by-step, every year, I want to do different races," Pogacar assesses. "I'm always excited, especially to do a new race. In Catalunya with good weather and nice roads, it should be a really pleasant race. We are ready to fight everybody."