This Friday, he recognized the Liège-Bastogne-Liège course, of which he is the big favorite, and which he dreams of winning a second time after his success in 2021. Serene, relaxed and joking, as usual, the Slovenian, just returned from an internship in Sierra Nevada, had things to say before the Dean. So, we listened to him. Monologue on several themes.
The cold: “I experienced worse at Vallter 2000”
”During the recce this Friday, we realized that it is cold and I know that bad weather is forecast for Sunday. But I'm ready because I was treated to terrible weather conditions at the Tour of Catalonia, especially during the Vallter 2000 stage. (Editor’s note: where he finished 1st). Plus, when I go to Sierra Nevada, there's always a week where the weather is lousy. That said, I am very happy to have skipped the Flèche Wallonne. Seeing the guys’ suffering was horrible.”
Three days before Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tadej Pogacar announces the color: “I can’t wait”
The Falls: “We are primarily responsible”
“We know that we practice a very dangerous sport. Today, we have a lot of ways to visualize the roads, but this is not enough to understand the conditions that will be there on race day. This year, we have seen two terrible crashes. Unfortunately, this is hanging over our heads. Many runners criticize the organizers, but we are primarily responsible. Besides, when I fell last year during the Doyenne, it was entirely my fault. We were in a quiet moment and I wasn't focused enough. I learned that we wouldn’t be taking that route this year following my fall… It’s still nice of them.”
The absence of Evenepoel: “I would have liked him to be at the start”
“We get along well, Remco and I. We actually had a few discussions after his fall. I'm going to miss him on Sunday. I would have liked him to be at the start because he is a great runner and I had been thinking about this duel since the start of the year. Generally speaking, I always want all the best to compete in the same race. That would be really great.”
Mathieu van der Poel: “Why don’t we start 100 kilometers from the finish?”
”Everyone says I’m the favorite. In principle, this race suits Mathieu less. But he's been in the form of his life for several weeks and he's a man for big events. He did a 60 kilometer solo in Roubaix and I left 80 kilometers from the line at Strade Bianche. So why don't we leave, this time, 100 kilometers from the finish? (he smiles) ? More seriously, I think that such a solitary effort is much more difficult to succeed in a race like the Doyenne. And then, I think it's reductive to limit it to a duel between Mathieu and me. I'm sure Stephen Williams will be pumped after his victory on Wednesday. And I don't exclude Mattias Skjelmose from the outsiders. This time he will be well covered…”
Jonas Vingegaard: “I wish him to be in top form at the start of the Tour but…”
”I don't like being made the big favorite for the Tour, now that Jonas is injured. Last year, the roles were reversed after Liège and Jonas was not made the big favorite. That said, I really wish him to be in top form at the start of the Tour but I know how complicated it will be. Last year, I learned that the body takes longer than the mind to recover from a fall like that. Sometimes you feel like everything is fine and two days later you don't feel well. Coming back from such a fall is no easy feat.”
Liège-Bastogne-Liège: everything you need to know about the 110th edition, this Sunday April 21
Monuments: “I want to win them all”
”I have already won the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Lombardy. But I want to win all five monuments. Milan-Sanremo, I'm getting closer and closer (Editor's note: he placed 3rd this year). As for Paris-Roubaix, I will soon take part in it (Editor's note: probably next year). I want to see how I fare in the Hell of the North.”
