In an interview a few days after the Tour de France, Pogacar remains modest in itself. No big statements, no flashy statements and no aftermaths of spectacular parties.
“I don’t quite realize I have won the Tour yet. It will be a long time before I really realize that I have won the greatest race in the world,” Pogacar said in a video chat with the press.
“As a child I dreamed of being on the starting list. If you can win right away, that’s unbelievable. It takes time to let that sink in.”
“Look: top 5 was my first goal. When I was second my ambition was to defend that place. Primoz Roglic was in the lead and beating him with such a strong team around him seemed almost impossible.”
“But the climbing time trial turned everything upside down. Everyone surprised, including me.”
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The world is at Pogacar’s feet. With his final victory in the Tour de France, he has already almost reached the pinnacle.
“That is why it is important to look for new goals. I will of course defend my Tour title next year, but there are still good races: the World Cup for example. And who knows, I could win a classic monument. And the Giro and Vuelta are also nice prices … “
Slovenia is in turmoil. Thanks to Pogacar’s 1st place and Roglic’s 2nd place, Slovenia has secured a great place on the cycling map in one fell swoop.
Pogacar: “The country is going crazy. Everyone is overjoyed and partying, but I stay in my flat in Monaco, again everything is more relaxed.”
“Due to corona, it is not appropriate to celebrate at the moment and my season is also far from over. I have to stay focused and fit for the World Cup and the Belgian classics.”
“I also try to stay humble. It’s difficult with all the media and everything that happens, but the people around me help me to put everything in perspective and not let the stress get too high.”
With Pogacar, Roglic, Egan Bernal and also Remco Evenepoel, the top talents are jostling each other.
“We are the new generation, motivated and strong. Bernal started it last year with his Tour victory and what Remco Evenepoel has done this year was also fantastic.”
“The battle between the new generation versus the older has begun. It will be an exciting fight in the next few years.”
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