Tadejpogačar needs no real introduction. The 26-year-old is the main rider in the 2024 season, having achieved the treble in one season: at the Giro D’Italia, the Tour de France and the World Championship victory in.
Is he the greatest rider (goat) of all time? This is still a debate. But with Tour wins in 2020, 2021 and 2024, and a rainbow stripe on his back, he’s certainly the greatest rider of our time.
Here’s what he had to say about what’s worked for him over the past year.
How does your new coach Javier Sola help you improve?
He talks to me every day so I can’t slack off at any point, not that I ever slack off, but it feels good to always have someone I can trust and talk to. The way I train is different too – something more specific, more geared towards the upcoming competition. I brought him some stuff; he brought me some stuff, some new methods and some new ways of training, and so far, it’s been working great.
How do you train for those lightning strikes?
We hit a lot of maxes this year and a lot of Zone 2 where you can engage in fatigue resistance. This is where I think I’ve improved the most: I no longer lose as much explosiveness when I’m tired, so that’s really an upgrade for me
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Describe your cycling training
I’ve been doing a lot of work in the gym this year, but not as much weight work. I worked a lot in the physiology of the team with Victor Moreno and Alexandre Baccili in Monaco. He targets specific muscles that I need to develop. We work very well together.
Has your nutrition changed?
I’m a little serious about this. Urška [Žigart, his partner and fellow pro rider] And I’ve always known what to eat, but now I’m following Gorka’s nutrition plan [Prieto-Bellver]our nutritionists, are indeed necessary. If I don’t need to eat, I don’t eat – it’s about eating only what you need.
Do you use any mental techniques to prepare for competition?
I don’t talk to myself in the mirror, but sometimes, if I can’t sleep, or before a game, I imagine the game situation and think about what could happen. A lot can happen on a bike, so you need to be mentally prepared.
do you think riding giro d’Italia It’s a good preparation Tour de France?
If you go to the Giro and make some mistakes, that will be a big problem. But for me, I had a good rest after the Giro and this tour has been very good for me. I think I’m more or less at the same level as Giro on tour, and I know I can be in good shape after tour as well.
rapid fire problem
Pogačar celebrates winning 2024 World Championship road race
(Image source: swpix.com/alex whitehead)
If you could only ride in one place in your life, where would it be?
The whole earth! There is no right answer!
Favorite cafe stop for snacks?
Anything from the bakery. Actually.
Isn’t your favorite sport cycling?
Cross-country skiing.
Best quality for a training partner?
Something to say – time passed.
Worst quality training partner?
So slowly you have to wait for them.
How would you change cycling?
This is a deep and difficult question and we could talk about it all day long.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I think people know me better than they know me now.
