“When you believe in yourself and know you’re the best…” – Slovenian great hails Tadej Pogacar's Milano-Sanremo win as feat of the mind

Tadej Pogacar’s Milano-Sanremo victory has already been explained through tactics, chaos and raw power. But one of Slovenia’s most respected former riders has pointed to something else as the decisive factor.

Speaking on the Tour 202 podcast, Slovenian cycling great and former Criterium du Dauphine winner Jani Brajkovic highlighted the mindset behind Pogacar’s comeback from his crash before the Cipressa and his eventual victory on Via Roma.

For Brajkovic, the key moment was not just the fall or the chase back, but how Pogacar handled it mentally. “The legs were decisive. When you believe in yourself and know you’re the best, you can stay calmer. You know what you’re capable of, and even in those moments, nothing breaks you.”

That composure was tested immediately. Pogacar crashed at the worst possible point, just before the climb where he had planned to attack. Within minutes, he was back at the front and ready to race on his own terms.

Brajkovic pointed to the broader mentality that allows Pogacar to operate in those situations, describing a rider who never accepts defeat mid-race. “Calmness. Nothing throws him off when it comes to cycling. It’s as if he’s a magician who always has the right trick ready. He never signs off on defeat until he reaches the final goal.”

That mindset was visible in how quickly Pogacar reset. Despite dealing with a gear issue after the crash, he returned to the group and immediately repositioned himself for the decisive phase.

From there, the race unfolded in familiar fashion. Pressure on the Cipressa, escalation on the Poggio, and the winning move that only Tom Pidcock could follow.

While the physical performance has drawn widespread attention, Brajkovic also emphasised the environment around Pogacar as a key factor. “UAE Team Emirates - XRG is a team of winners, and they have a huge number of strong riders. That team spirit and environment allow everyone to grow and become better.”

In his view, that combination of internal belief and collective strength creates the foundation for performances like this one. Even in a race that briefly slipped out of control, Pogacar was able to reassert himself and take the win.

Brajkovic also stressed that Pogacar’s impact goes beyond results alone. “The results are incredible, but for me it’s not the most important thing what he has achieved, but that he has remained the person he is. That matters more than the results.”

In a race where everything seemed lost for a moment, that mindset proved decisive. Pogacar did not just recover from the crash. He rode through it with conviction and once again found a way to win.