Every minute of Tadej Pogacar’s time in the United Arab Emirates is meticulously planned. The competition takes center stage, but disputes over his schedule and numerous commitments with sponsors and authorities keep his agenda packed. Even so, the Slovenian cyclist manages to squeeze in a few minutes to chat with the Spanish press. I had the opportunity to catch up with him for four minutes before stage 5 of the UAE Tour.
We started talking about his rival, Vingegaard. Pogacar has no doubt that he’ll find the best version of his competitor at the Tour de France: “I’m clear that he’ll reach the Tour de France and the previous races in top form. This part of the season is being used as preparation, and I’m sure he’ll fly in the Tour de France.” It’s evident that Pogacar has a deep respect for Vingegaard, and their rivalry is one of the most exciting in the world of sports.
As we spoke, Pogacar was approached by several journalists and photographers, all clamoring for a quote or a photo. He graciously obliged, smiling and chatting with the media. It’s clear that he’s comfortable in the spotlight and is happy to share his thoughts and feelings with the press.
Pogacar maintains a good relationship with Vingegaard, despite their on-track rivalry. While they may not be close friends, there’s a sense of mutual respect between them. As Pogacar puts it, “It’s normal to talk about our rivalry all the time. I have a lot of respect for Jonas because he’s a great champion. We’ve met many times in the mountains and in races, so it’s a beautiful rivalry.”
The Slovenian cyclist is back in the desert with a clear goal in mind: to win. Today’s stage at Jebel Hafeet will be the confirmation of his third UAE Tour title. Pogacar feels good about his chances, saying, “Jabel Jais was the confirmation of the work we’ve done in winter. I hope to have good legs today and complete a good start to the season.”
Pogacar’s escape in stage five raised some eyebrows in the peloton. The leader of UAE Team Emirates explained his decision, saying, “It was only for fun, but the situation developed. It wasn’t the best decision, but we trained a bit.” It’s clear that Pogacar is always looking for ways to improve and push himself, even if it means taking a few risks.
Javier Sola: A Key Factor
There’s one Spaniard who’s had a significant influence on Pogacar’s evolution in recent times: Javier Sola. The Andalusian coach is widely regarded as one of the best in the business, and Pogacar credits him with playing a crucial role in his performance: “Javier has been very important in my development. Any athlete needs to have a technician they trust and with whom they have good communication. With him, it’s been great.”
As for Pogacar’s calendar, it’s still filled with question marks. He didn’t confirm his presence at the La Vuelta during the UAE Tour presentation, and when asked about the Paris-Roubaix, he simply smiled and said, “I can’t talk about that topic.” It’s clear that Pogacar is focused on the present and isn’t looking too far ahead, at least not publicly.