Ever wondered what it's like to be Pogacar's domestique? "Actually quite simple," says Pavel Sivakov

After six years with (the predecessors of) INEOS Grenadiers, Pavel Sivakov's adventure with the British formation ended in 2023. The Frenchman, born in Italy, signed a contract for 2024 with UAE Team Emirates, where the now 27-year-old rider has found his spot. In his first year with the Emirates team, Sivakov immediately had to work as a domestique for leader Tadej Pogacar, which was a memorable experience.

For the first time in early 2024, Sivakov rode with the Slovenian all-rounder at the Tour of Catalunya. Pogacar won four stages and the GC in Spain. Sivakov also assisted his Slovenian leader on the Tour de France and the Tour of Lombardy. Especially during the Tour de France, Sivakov was impressed by teammate Pogi.

"How people see him is actually how he is," Sivakov told former teammate Geraint Thomas' podcast. "He's an easygoing guy who is also very easy to work with. At the Tour, we had so much confidence in him. The whole team trusted him. There wasn't a single moment of doubt." Not even when Pogacar was defeated in the 11th stage by Le Lioran by Jonas Vingegaard. "Then the confidence was still there. It was incredible to be part of that Tour de France team," the 27-year-old rider proudly reflects.

Read more below the photo!

Sivakov rode for INEOS Grenadiers through 2023

Tour of Lombardy is good example of the simple task as Pogacar's domestique

In Sivakov's opinion, riding as Pogacar's domestique is actually quite simple. "It's just something like, 'We must take control, and today we'll go for it.' That's exactly how it goes. So the team discussions are much simpler because we have to keep the leading group within range," Sivakov reveals the simple task.

The Frenchman's personal highlight of the season was sixth place in the Tour of Lombardy. Pogacar put the icing on the cake of an unparalleled cycling year with yet another victory in Italy. In that race, Sivakov again had to contain the breakaway. "We allowed maybe too big a group to get away, but still, we had such a strong team. Guys like Thymen Arensman and Tiesj Benoot rode away. That was a powerful leading group." Still, the UAE decided to retake control, and with success. "So it's straightforward. And even if Pogacar knows a point where he wants to attack, he still ends up going on the attack sometimes much earlier," Sivakov once again described the unpredictability of his leader.  

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