Pogacar always knows how to surprise, on the pedals and also in words with his announcements: “Winning always puts you in a bad light, in 2025 I will work more for my teammates”.
They call it the Cannibalma Tadej Pogacar he doesn’t always think as befits a catch-all ace. Maybe he does it when he’s racing, as he abundantly demonstrated in the 57 days of racing in 2024, where he sent the 25 victories. My bocce is firm, Tadej he understood that exaggerating would only lead to trouble. And that in his short or medium term future there will probably be fewer victories and more teamwork.
Objective achieved: the rainbow jersey, like in dreams
He talked about it at Worka podcast in which he laid himself bare, recounting all the beautiful sensations he felt in what for him was truly a year that bordered on perfection.
“In February I started with a fixed idea in my head: wear the rainbow jerseybecause in Zurich I knew that I would find the ideal terrain to finally conquer the world championship. Because as good as it can be to wear the pink jersey at the Giro and the yellow jersey at the Touryou only keep that shirt on your shoulders for a few days. You wear the rainbow one for a year whole, and I couldn’t wait for it to happen.”.
Furthermore, the jersey has already been duly honored with as many victories in the two races run (Tour of Emilia and Lombardy), almost as if the energy has increased fivefold since wearing it.
Winning too much does not bring too many privileges
Tadej but he knows that winning too much can have its problems. For example, antagonize his teammates and even opponents. Because winning so much wears out those who cannot have those victories, but the Slovenian has understood that exaggerating is not a good idea.
“Envy is an ugly beast, but I would understand if someone started looking at me wrong. A couple of years ago I had the feeling that many of my fellow countrymen didn’t see me as one of them. Then I started winning and something changed.
Now that feeling is back. I don’t want to exaggerate, I don’t want to create problems in places where I feel at home, not only with the national team but also in the team I run for.”
A team that has demonstrated that it knows how to win even without it Tadej. “And it is important that this continues to be the case. I’m not greedy and I don’t want to make enemies.”
The dream of three grand tours in a single year
The splendid season of Pogacar it ended with a “what if” which for many represented a sort of missed opportunity: the choice not to participate in the Vuelta and to aim for the triple crown in the same year.
“I understand that something like this might seem simple to some, but simple it is not. I want to say it once and for all: winning three three-week stage races in the same year is not an impossibilitybut it involves great sacrifices. However, I admit that I would like to one day try to win all three grand tours in the same season, but it won’t happen anytime soon. Maybe later, because now I think it’s more important to respecte my companions and also work according to their needs”.
A less cannibalistic future (but will it be true?)
The recipe of Tadej is therefore to go step by step: not to exasperate the group with victories, but maybe select those that can definitively launch him into legend more than he already is today.
“I have never been a greedy person, and in general those who bring negativity tend to be much more visible than many others. For this reason I will try to be very careful in how I select appointments and in the relationship with those I will have by my side.” Cannibal yes, but with his head on his shoulders.
Source: sport.virgilio.it
