Tadej Pogačar was questioned about his dominance and the suspicions it has sparked before Il Lombardia but also talked about his hopes and ambitions for his final race of 2024.
The UAE Team Emirates leader is targeting a fourth consecutive victory that would equal Fausto Coppi, who won the Italian Monument four consecutive times between 1946 and 1949.
Pogačar insisted he is not in Tour de France form but after taking a break after his third yellow victory and missing the Olympics, he seems the strongest and freshest rider in the peloton. He dominated the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France and kicked off his season with an 80km solo attack at Strade Bianche. Now he wants to bring down the curtain on the year with the 25th win of the season.
“I’ve stopped counting the victories. I just go with the flow, with the moment, from race to race. I’m trying to have a good time with the team,” Pogačar insisted on Friday afternoon after extending his final training ride in the Bergamo hills.
“These are nice races and I have good shape. I’m feeling good on the bike, so why not keep racing until I can? With the world champion’s jersey, I can enjoy these races even more. I’m ready to give it my all one last time, to go full gas.”
Pogačar refuted a suggestion that it would be a bigger surprise if he didn’t win Il Lombardia.
“In cycling, it’s never easy to win, so I’d never be surprised if I don’t win,” he said modestly.
‘I’m ready to give it my all one last time, to go full gas’ – Tadej Pogačar takes aim at fourth Il Lombardia victory
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