Pogacar wants to go to Vuelta, but also to World Championships in Rwanda: "Will be toughest race to defend"
Cycling
Who else? Tadej Pogacar was crowned Slovenian Cyclist of the Year for the fifth year in a row. Urska Zigart was also awarded the women's prize: a celebration for the Pogacar family. At the gala, the world champion revealed his plans for the new cycling season: the Tour, the World Championships, and maybe even Paris-Roubaix.
After winning the award, there were, of course, questions about his already frequently praised season. With 25 wins, there was plenty to celebrate. But which of them was the most beautiful? "There were so many great wins in the biggest races, I can't choose just one. But the victory at the World Championships with the national team is slightly more important than the others," Pogacar told Siol.
The world championships will be held in Rwanda 2025 on a brutally tough course. Defending the title is an essential goal for Pogi, but not the most vital one. "I have already been able to protect the victory in many other races. Sometimes, it didn't work out, and next year will be tough. The World Championships will be challenging because it is a very special race and also because not many succeeded in the past in defending the title. The World Championships will be the most demanding race to defend, but I'd rather attend races where I haven't won yet."
Read more below the photo!
Vuelta is a goal for Pogacar, but also the Tour (with an improved Vingegaard)
The Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, the World Championships, and three of the five Monuments: only Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, and the Vuelta a España are still missing from that list. Pogacar announced that he would avoid the Hell of the North for the time being but that the Vuelta is high on his list: it looks like he will compete in Spain next year. But defending the Tour title will again be crucial. He expects Jonas Vingegaard and Visma | Lease a Bike to be a more significant problem than the last edition. "I know they are training and want to improve compared to previous years, but I have the same intention. I want to be at least as good as this year."
The calendar for the cyclo-cross season is now online! Check it out here. Or check out our general calendars for the remainder of the season for the men and women's races.
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Latest Comments
- 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 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024