<\/p>\n
The Olympic Games are perhaps the other title, but one that can only be achieved in Los Angeles in just over two years from now. There are rumours that it might be a mountainous route, which could suit the Slovenian very well. But that year wasn’t set out as a potential final season for the World Champion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never thought about retiring in 2028. I\u2019ve signed a contract until 2030, but I could go beyond that.\u201d At age 27 and at the peak of a career that shadows virtually all riders in the sport’s history, there is no reason to contemplate it now. However it has to be taken into consideration that riders currently (and in the future this trend will certainly continue retire earlier; and Pogacar won his first Tour de France already six years ago at age 21. The pressure and demand of being at the top level is sustainable only for so long, something which will be determined over time.<\/p>\n
Milano-Sanremo tactics for Pogacar\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the Tour of Flanders, Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge and Il Lombardia in his palmar\u00e8s, the Slovenian now prioritizes the other two. Hence, this Saturday’s race is hugely important for his season. He has tried winning Sanremo several times and in different ways, thus far not being successful.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbove all, it\u2019s because there have been others better than me. It\u2019s also not a secret that the course isn\u2019t ideally suited to my characteristics,” he admits. “But the progression of my results says that I\u2019m gradually getting closer. When you lose, you always learn something and every season, I\u2019ve learned things and spotted details that will be useful for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
UAE’s use of the Cipressa a year ago proved that the climb could be used for a winning move, and at the time only an equally strong Mathieu van der Poel prevented him from going solo off the front for an historic win. For over 30 years an attack on the penultimate ascent hasn’t led to victory, with the last time being Gianni Bugno in 1990<\/a>. But tactics are something that change on the go, and Pogacar wasn’t keen on naming the possibilities.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s impossible to say in advance because every Sanremo has its own story. Weather, participants, wind, condition, teams \u2013 there are too many variables. You can set out from Pavia with a precise plan, but you have to be ready to change it in the race. Sanremo is won on Via Roma, but you can lose it at every metre along the course.\u201d<\/p>\n