Tadej Pogacar reveals where he aims to launch attack at Milano-Sanremo - 'We hope for good legs'
Published 16/03/2024 at 11:07 GMT
Tadej Pogacar, speaking ahead of Saturday's Milano-Sanremo, has once again revealed where he plans to attack in a one-day race - after doing so to great effect at the recent Strade Bianche. The first Monument of the season will see Pogacar go up against Mathieu van der Poel, and you can watch and stream all the action live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Tadej Pogacar has revealed where he plans to launch his attack at Milano-Sanremo, the first Monument of the cycling season - live on Saturday on Eurosport and discovery+.
The UAE Team Emirates rider was open about his plans pre-race, as he goes up against Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck) in the Dutchman's first road appearance of the season.
“The distance of solo is ideal, 10 times less,” Pogacar told Eurosport, referring to the eight kilometres that stand between the bottom of the famed Poggio climb and the finish, as he hinted at his plans.
Pogacar's "10 times less" comments referred to the move he made an astonishing 81km from the finish at the recent Strade Bianche, one he made stick all the way to the line to secure a momentous triumph.
“Approximately 10 times less, so around eight or six kilometres to go would be good to go solo, but I think everybody is thinking the same," the Slovenian added.
Van der Poel recently told Eurosport it “would surprise” him if someone attempted to mount a solo attack on the race's penultimate Cipressa climb.
Nobody has been able to make an attack on the Cipressa stick since 1996, with riders usually opting to make a last-ditch move on the Poggio, which is the final climb, or towards the finale on the Mediterranean coast.
“I think it’s pretty clear that every time we come here as a team like this we try to make it make it hard on Cipressa and on Poggio,” Pogacar said. “So it’s pretty obvious today we’ll try something similar.”
And confirming where he plans to attack, he added: “On Poggio, we’ll try. We hope for good legs.”
Pidcock: There is only one way Tadej can win
Also speaking ahead of the race to Eurosport, Ineos Grenadiers’ Tom Pidcock was asked whether he would be looking to make his own decisive moves on the climbs or the descents near the finale.
“Maybe a bit of both,” the Brit said. “The climb is simple, you need to follow and the end.
“For sure, we know UAE are going to make it as hard as possible, that's their tactic. I think this is the only way Tadej can win.”
Pidcock has had a turbulent time at the Italian race in recent years and hopes to make amends on Saturday.
“At the moment, pretty good,” Pidcock said about how he feels ahead of the race.
“Full of pasta and carbs, so at the moment, good. I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be nice.
“Last year I had a concussion so I couldn’t start, the year before I was sick and didn’t even finish, so I’m looking forward to racing the final today I hope.”
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