Dreaming of beating Pogacar and overcoming fear of crashes: Sky is the limit for 18-year-old Widar, who already wins everything there is to win

He wins almost everything there is to win in stage races among the juniors. We are talking about Jarno Widar. The young Lotto-Dstny Belgian, who will turn nineteen in November, is the standout name in the youth category. The chances are high that this super talent will make his professional debut next year. Exactly how good he is? That he explains himself in an interview with Directvélo. He also talks about his dreams: measuring himself against the best pros of the moment.

According to Widar, he had three main goals this year: the Giro Next Gen, the Tour de l'Avenir and the World Championships. In between, he also took on the Tour of the Aosta Valley. The result? Overall victory, just like in the Giro for juniors. "The Tour du Val d'Aosta is obviously a very good race, but I can't be at 100% everywhere. So when I arrived here, I wasn't bluffing when I said I didn't feel any pressure and that I wasn't necessarily aiming for big things," he coolly states about the expectations for that race.

Widar simply wants to be the best: "Already used to winning"

Widar still has his issues, and he is maturely open about them. "I still have a fear of crashing and have taken on a mental coach to help me overcome it. I feel more comfortable at the back of the peloton. But I'm feeling better and better in the peloton. This is incredibly important because with a problem like this, you won't make it," he continues.

Widar's ultimate goal is clear: to become the best cyclist in the world. Currently, it's clear that with a slew of victories to his name, Tadej Pogacar holds that spot. The young Belgian isn't there yet, but he has big dreams. "The ultimate dream would be to beat Tadej Pogacar. He is currently the best in the world. I need to think big, imagine the best things that are possible."

"I love the idea of a future where I am even a lot stronger than I am now. I'm not always happy with just winning anymore. In a way, that already feels routine. What I enjoy most is the whole process upstream to make progress, to become stronger, more resilient, and mentally tougher. I love making sacrifices," concludes the still very young Belgian.