Pogacar and Zigart make each other better: "Tadej thinks I sacrifice a lot more for us, but that's just not true"

Earlier, they founded Team Pogi, a youth team for young Slovenian riders. Now, they’re looking to make the leap to a women’s team: Pogacar and Zigart want to start Pika Team. "We’re currently planning to create a youth team for female cyclists in the junior and U23 categories," she told Sportal. "We also don’t want to neglect the U23 riders who will later need to transition to the pros, so we want to support them as well." The team is named after Zigart’s nickname, just as the boys’ team was named after her partner’s nickname.

"Tadej and I have always wanted to help girls as well. As for Pika Team, I have to admit that, until this season, I didn’t see myself as someone who could start my own team, let alone a team that would bear my name or nickname. But this year, with everything that has happened, I realized even more how important it is to give something back to Slovenian cycling." Recently, Pogacar admitted that he struggled with hostility from the Slovenian public for a long time because he dethroned their favorite, Primoz Roglic.

Pika makes many sacrifices, but does so with all her heart. "I think he sees me compromising more often, but given his name, career and achievements, I think that’s completely understandable. If I could always focus one hundred percent on myself, maybe I’d achieve more. But without Tadej, I would have had far less experience and fewer opportunities and advice. I think I’m better off regardless."

"Tadej often thinks that I sacrifice much more for our life together than he does, but that’s not true," she continues. "It’s true that sometimes, if I’m riding behind him during training, I’m suffering more, or that I spend less time in the shower than he does so I can start cooking sooner — but these are small things that don’t bother me. The point is, we both contribute our part."

During the Olympics, where Pogacar and Zigart were absent, the national coach remarked that Pogacar would support his fiancée "even from his deathbed." "I think we both see what we do for each other, and sometimes it seems that what your partner does for you is worth more than what you contribute yourself. But I believe it’s better to think this way than to think that one person gives up more than the other. This creates a positive perspective on the relationship, where we appreciate each other’s efforts and consciously try to keep a balance."