"We have a really strong team here for these races" - Tadej Pogacar hoping to conclude season in style in Italy

Despite not managing to achieve his main goal of reclaiming his Maillot Jaune at the Tour de France, a total of sixteen victories have ensured that 2023 will still go down as a successful campaign and there is still time for more joy as he concludes his season in Italy.

“It’s the third year now that I race this Italian block of races and it’s a period I really enjoy,” Pogačar said Wednesday. “The past two years I’ve finished off the season in the perfect way in Lombardia and we are motivated to go back and try to repeat that. The Giro dell’Emilia is a hard circuit race and an exciting one for the fans and Tre Valli always gets an attacking race, too. We have a really strong team here for these races so we will be aiming to go for good results for sure.”

Last year, the Slovenian finished his season in spectacular style, finishing second at Giro dell'Emilia before winning both the Tre Valli Varesine and Il Lombardia. Could we see a similar replication as his 2023 campaign draws to a close?

“I had a good rest period since the world championships,” the UAE Team Emirates leader has evaluated. “I think it was necessary and I’m feeling quite refreshed and eager again to tackle this final period in Italy. It’s one of my favourite times of the year and there is always a great atmosphere around in the build-up to Lombardia.”