During a long interview with Cyclinguptodate, José Antonio Fernández Rodríguezthis “Joxean Fernández Matxín”sports director of training UAE Team Emirateslooked back on his runner’s upcoming season, Tadej Pogacar. For the Tour, the Spaniard believes that we should not bury too quickly Jonas Vingegaardwho had beaten the world champion twice in 2022 in 2023. rebel also mentioned the schedule of his protégé, which could align with Paris-Roubaix, “it depends”, said the sports director.
Video – Matxin after Tadej Pogacar’s coronation on the Tour
“Every year can be different”
rebel first returned to the competition on the Tour de France. “Nothing is certain. Five years ago it seemed that the one who was going to win the five Tours in a row was Egan Bernal. Then Tadej won and we didn't know if he was going to win the next one. After winning the second, Tadej was the next to win 6 Tour in a row But in the end Vingegaard wins the next two and it seems that Vingegaard is the one who will win the 6 in a row. This means that every year can. be different and even more so with injuries”declared rebel.
“Were we angry when we didn't win the Tour and did things much better to win? Yes, what is Jonas going to do? Clearly the same”, adds the Spaniard before explaining himself. “We couldn't sleep, we couldn't settle down, we couldn't feel comfortable… Vingegaard is going to have this need, this anger, this extra motivation to be able to do things” he added.
San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, Vuelta… What program for “Pogi”?
Rebel Fernandez also mentioned the program of his protégé, including a possible participation in Paris-Roubaix. “It depends. Often it's not about the year of racing but about planning the season. You have to keep in mind the main goal and work backwards. For example, if the Giro d'Italia and the Tour are part of the planning, you have to see which races are suitable for them. For example, this year with the Giro, it was not very logical to go to Roubaix because it is too close and we were focused. at altitude”, declared rebel
However, participation in Milan-San Remo seems established, since rebel claims to have a plan. “Without a doubt, we have a strategy. We have the calendar and we know what the idea is of who is going to race and how to race in San Remo. We are obviously not going to outsource it or communicate it”affirms the sports director, before mentioning The Return. “There is of course an option for the Vuelta a España, there is something for everything. The calendar is clear, but we cannot reveal it yet”he concluded.
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