Tadej Pogacar definitely wants to defend his title at the World Cup street race in Rwanda – but the bankruptcy in time trial against Remco Evenepoel has left its mark.
In addition to the big bankruptcy, superstar Pogacar also received a few little ones in the individual time trial of the World Cup in the past few days. In the cycling -loving host country Rwanda, the Slovenian exceptionally published a video during training: a local overtook the Slovenes and his partner Urska – also cycling athletes – with its technically clearly inferior bike on the mountain.
“They always beat me …”
“I lost some duels during the relaxation trips. They always beat me”, “ the 27-year-old said with a smile. “The atmosphere on the streets is great”he praised – even on training trips, many eyes are aimed at the drivers. Around the hilly capital Kigali, people transport everything on their bikes – from heavy potato bags, bulky tools to animals. If you build a good team here, Pogacar said, then you could win “very good drivers” for cycling.
Memorable bankruptcy in time trial
Before his planned title defense on Sunday at the World Cup street race (9.45 a.m. UH/live ticker at Sportschau.de and Livestream on ZDF), Pogacar showed himself to be released. But the memorable defeat in time trial has left traces. The Belgian Evenepoel overtook the four-time Tour de France winner on his birthday in the race against the clock, even though Evenepoel started two and a half minutes later. In the end he was 2:37 minutes faster,
Evenepoel, who will drive for the German Red Bull team in the future, triumphed for the third time in his parade discipline as the winner in time trial. The season so far was actually the other way around: Pogacar succeeded a lot, even Evenepoel had problems, had to end the Tour de France prematurely in summer.
“Maybe it’s your turn on Sunday”
“Now on Sunday it’s my turn to start and that it is not a bad day, but this bad feeling when someone catches up with you”, “ said Pogacar. The intensive season did not go past him without a trace. After his ultimately safe triumph on the tour of France, Pogacar looked tired. For him, the European Championships in France and shortly afterwards are on the Lombardy tour. “I’m looking forward to the racing -free time to spend a good time at home, switch off from cycling together with Urska and family”said the exceptional driver and at the same time made it clear: “First we still have to end this great season.”
Expert Voigt sees Evenepoel with advantages
The German ex-professional Jens Voigt sees even on Sunday. “He has a very strong team, which is crucial in a long race where you have to hide for a long time”he said at Eurosport. “Pogacar did not look at 100 percent in time trials, as you are used to, not so focused and powerful. He has almost almost got on the podium, but otherwise he wins races with a smile on his face. In my impression, he was missing in all areas of half to one percent”, he added.
Last year in Switzerland, Pogacar celebrated World Cup gold for the first time after a 100-kilometer solority. In 2022, Evenepoel won its only gold medal in Australia. A new mega solo seems unlikely on the extremely demanding route on Sunday with almost 270 kilometers and tricky 5475 meters of altitude. But Pogacar is also the best driver of his generation – and always good for an explosive attack surprise.
Height, weather, surroundings – Pogacar has got used to everything
But not only the route has its pitfalls. Like many other professionals, the Slovenian also had to get used to the climatic conditions in the city around 1,500 meters. “The weather is a little different than at home. It’s a bit strange. It’s hot, it’s not moist, but it can also be wet”he said. But he also made it clear: “I got used to the surroundings, to the height, to the weather. And just everything.” Because even the weather should hardly brake the superstar on a good day.