Competitors see Pogacar as almost unbeatable at UAE Tour, unless the wind plays a role: "More chance of echelons"
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar is competing in the UAE Tour, his season's first race. After two years of absence, the world champion will make the competition sweat as he and his Arab team are eager to claim victory. His competitors are in for a rough ride and must improvise to stand any chance.
Lennert Van Eetvelt won last year's GC in the United Arab Emirates. As the defending champion, he knows he has a difficult task ahead of him. "You never want to start a race thinking you are racing for second place, but when Tadej starts, it's always tough to compete," the Belgian from Lotto said at the press conference. "But you don't start the race thinking you will be second or that second is the maximum possible. We'll just start to try our best and we will see."
On day two, a smooth time trial awaits, where the difference will be made in twelve kilometers. Van Eetvelt sees opportunities to pressure Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates - XRG just outside the decisive points for the GC. "Of course, [the time trial is] always important, and a few seconds can count towards the end," said Van Eetvelt. "But I think with him [Pogačar] here, there is a bigger chance that echelons will make a bigger difference in GC than the time trial and on the climbs, we will all fall into place."
"Only way is to find surprise"
Pello Bilbao finished on the podium in 2024 and 2022. The Spaniard from Bahrain Victorious has never made it to the podium's top step, but his time trial has often let him down. However, he does not necessarily see the time trial as the week's biggest challenge. "It's a short time trial again. The difference between the best is not going to be huge, though; maybe in the fight for the podium, it can be a decider."
Like his Belgian competitor, the number five of the 2022 Giro d'Italia sees that Pogacar may be somewhat vulnerable in the wind. "I would say, comparing with the numbers, it's almost impossible to beat him on the climbs. So the only possibility is to find a surprise during a difficult moment in the race. But even like that, I think it's going to be super hard. I know this year is going to be really complicated to go for the victory, but we want to do something different to make a good challenge here."
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Latest Comments
- Remco is still very young. And injuries can absolutely keep you from overdoing it and getting worse. The recent Remco accident didn't keep him from being able to ride a recumbent inside. Wout's knee is a different story thoughVeganpotter23-01-2025
- Van der Poel style is winning by a half a lap and leading the race from the end of the second lap.
Barnes127420-01-2025 - If she thinks talent alone will put her there she will not see many podium finishes much less a GC finish.....work as a team utilizing tactics to consistently be at the top.Germanrazor10-01-2025
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024