Tadej Pogacar in 'best-ever' form ahead of Giro d'Italia tilt, says UAE sports manager Joxean Matxin

Published 24/04/2024 at 10:19 GMT

Just days remain until Tadej Pogacar makes his Giro d'Italia debut as the 2024 edition rolls out of Venaria Reale for the 'Grande Partenza' on May 4. The Slovenian has only completed 10 days racing so far this year but will add three hard weeks to that total in Italy as he seeks to pull off the first half of what would be a remarkable Giro-Tour de France double.

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Tadej Pogacar is in his "best-ever" form ahead of his tilt at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, says UAE sports manager Joxean Matxin.

Pogacar took home the Liege-Bastogne-Liege title last weekend to add to his Strade Bianche one-day crown, and the general classification he snagged at the Volta a Catalunya.

After questions in some quarters last year over whether he raced too much in the early part of the season as his Tour hopes met the dust in the high mountains, the 25-year-old seems to be piecing together a more deliberate itinerary this time out.

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“When you are the number one ranked rider in the world, it’s not easy to improve on that but I think we’re seeing the best-ever Tadej Pogačar in every possible way,” Matxin told Gazzetta dello Sport following his charge's display last Sunday.

And it's hard to argue with that, as Pogacar nigh-on admitted following his win on the Belgian roads.

“I hope that I’m in good shape but I think I can still be a little better but not a lot," he said, according to Gazzetta.

However, he has also revealed that the Giro-Tour double that he is aiming to complete - a feat not achieved since Marco Pantani in 1998 - won't be far from his mind as he eyes a first maglia rosa.

The end of the Giro and the start of the Tour are separated by just 34 days, leaving little time for much recuperation.

"The race is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, challenging climbs and unpredictable weather. And I'm eager to test myself, I can't wait," Pogacar told La Stampa.

"Strategic energy management will be fundamental [with the Tour de France in mind]. While I will seize opportunities as they arise, I will also take the bigger picture into consideration, looking forward.

"It will be essential to find a balance between ambitions for the Giro and preparations for the Tour de France.

"I want to do well in both races."

Can anyone stop Pogacar? Noises from the bunch at the Volta weren't particularly encouraging, with a number of riders - including Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) - effectively admitting that when the Slovenian is around, the race is for second.

“You really feel that he is there and the rest of the bunch is somewhere else,” he said.

“For sure I cannot compete and I don’t think any rider here can compete with him. Something happened in the last two years and the gap has increased further.

“I remember 2020, just after Covid, and I could still compete with these guys but they have grown up and I have stayed at my level. I have never seen anything like this in my career.

“Before I always used to ride races to win, but now to be perfectly honest I don’t see how it could be possible when you are racing against a rider like that.”

Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), having come so close at last year's Giro only to be pipped by Primoz Roglic in the penultimate day time-trial, is back for another Grand Tour GC attempt, and is one man who could challenge Pogacar - especially given his strong support cast of Filippo Ganna, Thymen Arensman and Magnus Sheffield.

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The Brit said: "Obviously [last year] didn't end the best way but with the start of the season I had I think it was still a good one, but we'll see what this year brings."

The Giro runs begins on May 4, live on Eurosport and discovery+, with the final stage in Rome on May 26.

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