Tadej Pogačar Suggests Return to San Remo Only for Focaccia

Tadej Pogačar has hinted that he might not return to the Milan-San Remo race after achieving a significant milestone: his first victory in this prestigious event at his sixth attempt. This race, renowned for its challenging terrain, brought a mix of drama, including a crash, a fierce chase, and an exhilarating sprint finish against British rider Tom Pidcock from Pinarello-Q36.5. The weight of expectation had been heavy on Pogačar due to past podium finishes but no wins in Milan-San Remo.

Pogačar Wins Milan-San Remo

Completing the race lifted a burden for Pogačar. “It’s quite a relief to finally win it,” he stated during the post-race press conference. He expressed both joy and nostalgia about his journey: “I will miss it.” After the podium ceremony, Pidcock revealed that Pogačar jokingly mentioned he may never come back to Milan-San Remo. “If I come back to San Remo it will only be to eat focaccia,” he quipped, indicating a lighter perspective on a race that had demanded so much from him.

The Race Dynamics

The 117th edition of Milan-San Remo was particularly unpredictable. Pogačar faced a setback early in the race when he crashed near the Cipressa climb, injuring himself and scuffing his world champion’s skinsuit. It appeared for a moment that his chances of winning were gone, and he contemplated retiring to the team car. However, with quick thinking and the support from his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammates, he made a remarkable recovery.

• Pogačar crashed during the Cipressa climb.
• He experienced road rash but managed to catch up with the peloton.
• His teammates played a crucial role in helping him regain competitive positioning.

In the final stretches, Pogačar unleashed an attack on the Cipressa, with only Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel from Alpecin-Premier Tech able to keep pace. Pogačar battled through pain and fatigue to cross the finish line in Via Roma, edging out Pidcock in a nail-biting sprint. “I think it’s definitely one of the biggest wins in my career,” he reflected.

Future Projections

Pogačar’s victory marks the fourth Monument Classic win in his career, positioning him one step away from a historic triplet that includes the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. “I’m just so happy now that I’ve won San Remo,” he said, embracing the moment while also looking ahead. “I will go to Flanders and Roubaix with a strong team.”

As he prepares for upcoming races, Pogačar’s mindset reflects a blend of satisfaction and determination. He remains ready to face new challenges in the competitive cycling landscape.