Tadej Pogacar had “just want to live in the present moment” when going on vacation with another crushing victory at the Tour of Lombardy, without thinking about the mark he will leave in history, even if he dominated this season as rarely a rider has done.
“The story, we’ll see that after my career”insisted the Slovenian after winning for the fourth year in a row in the last Monument of the year on Saturday in Como.
QUESTION: What were you thinking in the last few kilometers?
ANSWER: “I took advantage of the fans and it was extraordinary. I’m happy to finish the season, to be able to go on vacation with such a victory. I finished as I started, it’s nice to lift the bike at the finish line, it makes a nice photo. »
Q: Are you starting to realize what you accomplished this season?
R: ” I don’t know. Do I need to understand what I did? The story, we’ll see that after my career. I just want to live in the moment. Now I’m going on vacation, I’m going to rest and then I’m going to look towards next season and my next goals, with a lot of motivation. »
Q: How do you explain your domination, by your power, your additional motivation?
R: “I don’t have the answer because I’m not in my opponents’ heads, and I don’t know their power data. Maybe a combination of all of these. Today, motivation was an important factor after such a long season. »
Q Some people call you the tyrant of modern cycling?
Pogacar encouraged by the crowd on the road to the Tour of Lombardy, Saturday October 12, 2024. / Luca Bettini / POOL/AFP
R: “I don’t see anyone saying that along the road. Today I saw so many fans, it was beautiful. We did 255 km and everyone was there to encourage me and the rest of the peloton. You can always find people on the internet who are full of negativity. But that’s not what I see on the side of the road and that’s what’s most important. »
Q: If you had to choose one victory this year, what would it be?
R: “Every victory has its own story, its own emotion, but I think the World Championships were really a peak. It will be difficult to beat this one. »
Q: And what has been the most difficult moment this year?
R: “Actually, I haven’t really had a difficult moment on the bike this season. It’s also thanks to the team. We made a good schedule of my calendar. I have never arrived at a race being too tired. The decision not to do the Olympic Games after the Tour de France, for example, was a good decision. It allowed me to recover for the end of the season. »
Q: Are you sad the season is over?
R: ” No. There are other things in life. It’s not all about wins and races. There is a life next door. »
COMMENTS collected at a press conference
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