Winning Strade Bianche as the World Champion would be 'extra special' for Tadej Pogacar

Tadej Pogacar is the ultimate favourite to win Strade Bianche today and motivation is in place. Although the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider has already managed to win this race on two occasions, he now takes to the start for the first time in the rainbow jersey and is eager to get his pictures and achievement at the end of the day.

“It is a dream to win this race. I have already done that twice. But it would indeed be extra special to be able to do that today in the rainbow jersey," Pogacar shared in words to Sporza. "The main goal, however, is to have good legs today and to compete for the victory. We will see what the result will be.”

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The Slovenian will be backed up by a strong team including Isaac del Toro and Tim Wellens who themselves would be contenders for a victory if their leaders wasn't present. Although it is a chaotic race, Pogacar is a great bike handler and it will be difficult for someone to catch him out.

Last year he attacked with over 80 kilometers to go and made the difference there, later on growing a gap of minutes which he could comfortably manage until the finish. The same could happen this year, but with the route being so difficult, some have even wondered if he will try to surprise and do it earlier. “That there is a rumour that I will attack before the Sante Maria section? That's a great rumor," he jokes.

UAE will indeed have most of the responsibility in the long race, but there will be fighting for positioning into every sector and so the time spent at the head of the peloton will ultimately be divided within many teams. Most of his rivals will look directly towards him, so the pressure will definitely be on.

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