Tadej Pogacar isn’t here to play it safe. The UAE Emirates rider wants to experience everything cycling has to offer. That’s why he’s decided to take on the infamous Paris-Roubaix, one of the toughest races in the sport.
At a press conference in Waregem, Belgium, Pogacar talked about his decision to ride the Paris-Roubaix. He said he wants to live without regrets. The Slovenian rider checked out the course in February and felt comfortable.
Some people might think the Paris-Roubaix is too risky, but Pogacar doesn’t see it that way. He thinks a sprint finish in the early stages of the Tour de France can be just as dangerous. He pointed out that crashes can happen anywhere, like his recent fall at the Strade Bianche.
Pogacar won the Strade Bianche for the third time, despite the crash. He was third at the Milan-Sanremo. The 26-year-old has already won seven monuments: four Tour of Lombardy titles, two Liège-Bastogne-Liège wins, and one Tour of Flanders victory.
For Pogacar, it’s about enjoying the ride and having no regrets. He wants to discover the Paris-Roubaix and doesn’t care what others think. His focus is on having fun on the bike.
This Sunday, Pogacar will try to match Mathieu van der Poel’s monument wins at the Tour of Flanders. He’ll try to avoid a sprint finish like the one at the Milan-Sanremo. Pogacar’s strategy is to make the race as tough as possible, with the help of his team, including Portuguese rider António Morgado.
Pogacar has already shown his skills on the Paris-Roubaix course, setting records on the cobblestone sections during a training session. He said the wind was at his back, and he was also drafting behind a motorcycle at times. The Paris-Roubaix might not be his main goal this spring, but he’s excited to take on the challenge.