Big favorite for the road race at the Zurich Worlds, Tadej Pogacar is not preparing for the event in the best possible way.
Already winner of the Giro and the Tour de France this year, Tadej Pogacar will attempt, on Sunday, to join Eddy Merckx and Stephen Roche in the history books by adding the rainbow jersey to his list of achievements. And given his form displayed at the Montreal GP a fortnight ago, the Slovenian will be the overwhelming favorite for the race.
The leader of Team UAE-Emirates will certainly have to deal with tough competition. Titled in Australia two years ago, Remco Evenepoel also seems in great shape. As evidenced by his coronation in the uphill race. Less than two months after his incredible double at the Paris Games, the Belgian dreams of a new double in Zurich. Crowned last year in Scotland, Mathieu van der Poel will not be taken lightly either.
Matej Mohoric will not be there to support Tadej Pogacar
Tadej Pogacar will nonetheless be the man to beat. The three-time winner of the Tour nevertheless saw his final preparation polluted by bad news. At the start of the week, his compatriot Luka Mezgec, expected to play the gregarios alongside him, was in fact the victim of a car accident. Hit in the knee, the Team Jayco AlUla rider should be able to hold his place on Sunday, but will inevitably be reduced.
And on Wednesday, the Slovenian coach announced another bad news for Tadej Pogacar. Expected to play luxury teammates alongside the world number one, Matej Mohoric had to withdraw. The fault lies in a fall suffered at the end of last week while recognizing a serious event.
“We were waiting today (Wednesday) to make a final decision, as Matej (Mohoric) had checked the condition of his injury during training, said Uros Murn, specifying: “After consulting with Kristof Knap, doctor of his team Bahrain Victorious and the national team, we have made the decision that Matej will not participate in the road race on Sunday. The condition of the palm of his injured hand, on which he has a few stitches, is such that Matej is not sure he will be able to run on Sunday.
