Tadej Pogacar: Slovenian rules out Giro d'Italia-Tour de France-Vuelta a Espana Triple Crown - 'Too crazy'

Published 28/05/2024 at 16:13 GMT

Tadej Pogacar has ruled out competing in the Vuelta a Espana this year after his Giro d’Italia domination. In an interview for Eurosport and the UCI, the Slovenian says “I like new challenges, I’m not closed to anything,” but admits that currently, aiming to conquer three Grand Tours in the same year is “maybe a bit too crazy".

‘A rider for the history books’ - Relive Pogacar’s stunning 2024 Giro d’Italia triumph

Fresh off a successful Giro d'Italia, Tadej Pogacar has already ruled out riding in the Vuelta a Espana this summer.

The Slovenian rode into Rome on Sunday with a monumental lead of nine minutes and 56 seconds having brushed away all competitors, and donning the Maglia Rosa for 20 stages across Italy. His place in the pantheon of cycling’s greatest riders is arguably sealed.

Eyes are already darting to the Tour de France in late June - with Pogacar building up his chances - and to the Vuelta the month after where Pogacar could secure a historic feat - winning three Grand Tours in the same year.

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Cycling’s Triple Crown has been achieved just three times, by Eddy Merckx, Stephen Roche, and female cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten in 2022.

The comparisons to Merckx continue to roll in and so too has the suggestion that 25-year-old Pogacar could match the Belgian’s Triple Crown by winning the Giro, the Tour, and the Vuelta in consecutive months.

“I can assure you that the Giro-Tour-Vuelta triplet is not on the programme this year,” the Giro champion explained in an interview for Eurosport and the UCI.

“Winning every Grand Tour is a major goal for me but to do it in the same year… It’s perhaps a little too crazy.

“I prefer not to chase records, but to new challenges, and I am especially very attracted by races that I have not yet done.”

The Triple Crown is considered to be perhaps the single greatest achievement in cycling, and it is a challenge that many want to see Pogacar tackle.

He has stated that the World Championships in late September is a big goal, but he could become the first to conquer the Giro-Tour-Vuelta triplet.

“I like new challenges to keep a certain freshness so I am not closed to anything,” Pogacar said.

“But I'm also realistic, I know it's not just about showing up at the start and winning. Cycling is a sport with many specialities. Different terrain and different races favour different athletes and different preparations.

“Ask any runner, winning a pro race is a huge thing, and it takes extraordinary form, whatever the race.”

Stage 20 highlights: Pogacar decimates rivals again in mountains as victory beckons

There is a month to go until the Tour in France, where Pogacar has previously won twice in 2020 and 2021, but the Giro saw him produce a special performance.

He saw, came and conquered Italy, winning six stages en route to one of the most dominant Grand Tour victories in cycling history.

“I was fortunate to arrive with preparation close to perfection and I was therefore able to achieve the performances I wanted, to be aggressive and aim for these victories,” he rejoices.

“My team-mates also played a huge part, nothing would have been possible without them. Of course we hoped for victory, we dreamed of it, but taking six stages and wearing the Maglia Rosa for 20 stages across Italy was an incredible experience. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

And with the Giro crushed, the Slovenian can turn to his next objectives.

"The Tour and the Worlds are obviously major objectives for me, not only this year, but every year. I don't feel too much pressure. I’m still quite young, but I feel a very strong desire to win them one day," he adds.

The Merckx comparisons and 'Greatest of All Time' claims don't affect Pogacar either, who says that defining an athlete's historical imprint "goes beyond athletic quality and has more to do with human qualities".

“I leave the records to the historians,” the rider adds.

'I don't need it, it's for you' - Pogacar picks up bottle, just to hand it to fan

For all the domination and the ever-growing resume of supremacy in cycling, Pogacar consistently tips his caps to his rivals.

“Cycling is going through a very good era and I have experienced some very good battles with excellent runners," he remarks.

"Let’s hope that the show will be superb again this year on the Tour.”

The unstoppable man has class in abundance, something he proved once again following a brutal attack on the Monte Grappa in the 20th stage, where he stopped to gift a bottle to a young supporter.

And while the Giro-Tour-Vuelta triplet has been ruled out, he still hopes to appear at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, selection dependent. The time trial takes place just six days after the last day of the Tour, while the road race is another week later on August 3.

“Any sport performed at the highest level always offers an impressive spectacle,” he exclaims.

“I hope to be at the Games and maybe I can see some athletics or other events… That would be nice, if I have time.”

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