Titanic Tadej Pogacar takes aim at winning another Grand Tour

As UAE Team Emirates gear up for the 107th edition of the Giro d’Italia, the cycling world is filled with excitement, anticipation, and expectation. Known for its ferocious hills and breathtaking scenery, this iconic race promises to push riders to their limits and beyond. Against the backdrop of Italy’s stunning landscapes, talisman Tadej Pogacar enters the race as the red-hot favourite. Fresh off the back of his dominant win at Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Pogacar is currently riding the crest of an immortal cycling wave that shows no sign of breaking, as the eyes of the world descend upon the start line in Venaria Reale on Saturday May 4th.

Pogacar is no stranger to the demands of Grand Tour glory having already secured two Tour de France victories in 2020 and 2021. Over the last few years, he has truly cemented himself as the single dominant force in professional cycling and is ready to add the ever-famed Giro d’Italia to his palmarès. Producing another Grand Tour victory would further cement Pogacar’s legacy as one of cycling’s all-time greats, if not making him the greatest of all time.

Unlike in Strade Bianche and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, this will be no solo domination by Pogacar for the entire three weeks. The Slovenians efforts will be bolstered by an impressive UAE Team Emirates line-up, with every member playing a pivotal role in his quest to secure the Maglia Rosa. Trusted domestiques Domen Novak and Rafal Majka will be by his side in the mountains, with Vegard Laengen, Mikkel Bjerg and Felix Grobschartner prepared to tirelessly contribute to the team’s efforts from the front of the peloton. Rui Olivera will assume the role of lead-out man for seasoned sprinter Sebastian Molano, aiming to secure victory in one of the six sprint stages.

Tadej Pogacar: “Stepping onto the grand stage of the Giro d’Italia for the first time fills me with a lot of pride. The route is filled with breathtaking challenges, but I have a formidable team by my side. I’m ready to embrace all the twists and turns that Grand Tour racing brings. The route itself is one that should suit me and the team, but this is World Tour Cycling, and anything can happen. We’ll be taking it day-by-day, stage-by-stage, ensuring we give ourselves the very best chance of success. It’s truly an honor to debut in this legendary race.”

UAE Team Emirates will face strong competition in the general classification from several different teams and riders. Among them is Geraint Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France winner and 2023 Giro d’Italia runner up, who brings a wealth of experience to the table as he aims to go one better than last year. French veteran Romain Bardet poses another significant threat, known for his strength in the mountains and consistency in Grand Tour Racing. Emerging talent Cian Uijtdebroeks, of team Jumbo Visma-Lease a Bike, will pose a stern test to the rest of the GC after an impressive start to the 2024 season. Looking to build on a fine 8th place finish in 2023 when riding for Bora-Hansgrohe, the talented Belgian will be spearheading the charge for Jumbo Visma in the absence of Jonas Vingegaard and Wout Van Aert.

Each stage will offer its own set of unique challenges and opportunities. The Giro promises a grueling 3320 kilometers of racing, incorporating 5 mountain stages, 8 hilly stages, 6 sprint stages and 2 Individual Time Trials.

Pogacar will have his first serious test on stage 2, with a favoured 11km uphill sprint finish awaiting the Slovenian and the rest of the pack, tackling gradient’s peaking at 13% atop the Santuario Di Oropa. Pogacar will seek to draw inspiration from his Strade Bianche heroics during the gravel sections across stage 6, a new addition to the route for 2024. Another uphill sprint finish awaits the peloton, with Pogacar looking to distance his GC rivals by the culmination of week 1.

In what promises to be one of the most exciting Grand Tour seasons in living memory, Tadej Pogacar will be looking to lay down an early marker as he pursues glory in the eternal city of Rome, further etching his name into the annals of cycling greatness.