It was yet another clear sign of a drop in performance which he hasn’t yet been able to resolve. Yet if he does decide to do so more next year, he is going to do it focusing on himself and how he can improve, and not in his rival who is already an obstacle in other races: “I don’t take Tadej [Pogacar]’s participation into account. We’re just focused on ourselves and have our own ambitions.”
The topic of two Grand Tours was discussed, and he believes he has gotten that aspect well dialed in this year. “Before I got sick in the Vuelta, I was in absolute top form. It seems I could very well ride two Grand Tours in one year.”
However it’s the mental aspect that is difficult, specially with a young family at home which he knows is difficult to balance out. “It’s tough being away from home so much. It’s the cumulative amount of days abroad that’s tiring.”
However he is not yet considering or having thoughts of retirement in the future. The two-time Tour de France winner still has a lot to win in his career and is widely considered the second best climber in the world. “Will I still be racing at 36? That’s still a long way off. I don’t want to rule anything out, but I’m taking things as they come. If the moment comes that I no longer feel like it, then I’ll stop,” he concluded.