The Slovenian runner spoke about his future after finding competition at home in Slovenia on Saturday evening.
Two weeks after his fourth victory in the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar returned to the competition, in his hometown in Komenda (Slovenia), during a criteria which he won without surprise on Saturday. A return to the country welcome to the world champion who was able to offer himself a crowd in front of his compatriots. “I wanted to win, especially in front of such a crowd of supporters gathered today. It’s incredible, there were not so many spectators during the Tour de Slovenie here ”, he told RTVSLO media.
On his land, «Pogi» At once again was able to measure its immense popularity even if it is sometimes a little invasive: “I am happy to be back home, to be able to see my friends, my neighbors, my family. It is true that sometimes I would like to be a little less famous, sometimes taking photos and signing autographs is tiring, other times a little less, but I try to please everyone ”
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He will be back in France in October
The Slovenian also took advantage of his home getaway to discuss his end-of-season program which will go through the Grands Prix of Quebec (September 12) and Montreal (September 14), the world championships in Rwanda (September 21) and probably the European Championships in France (October 1-5): “It’s a climbing course, so I will probably be there.” Meetings that will compromise his campaign in Italian races. “It probably means that I will not be able to participate in any Italian classic, except Lombardy.”
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“Everyone can have a bad day”
The leader in the UAE training also mentioned the Tour de France and the Spleen which seemed to accompany him sometimes while he was crushing the race. “Everyone can have a bad day. We cannot expect me to shine with happiness during the 21 stages. The tour was very difficult, one of the hardest I have run, all those who fought for the general classification can confirm it. But now I have rested, I took stock and I’m ready for new battles ”he said before mentioning his retirement and the Tour de France.
Retirement, soon but not for now
This will not intervene in the short term but the 26-year-old runner does not seem to want to drag on either in the bicycle and the monastic life he imposes: “I already count the years that separate me from retirement. I started winning early, and there can be worse results, I’m ready for anything. I will probably still participate in a few laps, even if we can never guarantee that we will participate. The tour is the biggest race and I doubt that the team leaves me at home for a few more years. ”