Invincible Tadej Pogacar set to win his first Giro d’Italia
With the one-day classics in the rear-view mirror, cycling shifts gears in May with the Giro d'Italia, the first of the season's three grand tours. Unlike in previous years, this edition has just one big favourite: the debutant Tadej Pogacar.
At just 25, Pogacar has had a career most can only dream of: two Tour de France victories, including 11 stage wins, and 14 one-day classics victories, including Il Lombardia, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and last year's Tour of Flanders.
The Slovenian is already looking to fill the gaps in his resume. That process begins with his Giro d'Italia debut, which he will be heavily favoured to win. Pogacar has been head and shoulders above the competition this season, with last month’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège just one example.
Little competition
And it does not look like he will have much competition in Italy either, as his main rivals are not competing. Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard have both opted out to focus on the Tour de France and the Olympics. Both are also still recovering from injuries sustained during the spring classics.
Other teams do not appear to have the firepower to threaten Pogacar's supremacy. INEOS Grenadiers come closest, with former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas at the helm. The Briton finished second in last year's Giro, but at 37 he is nearing the end of his career.
Belgian stage wins?
Most of the 14 Belgian riders will be looking for stage wins. Tim Merlier, who won a Giro stage in 2021, will be looking for the bunch sprints. Quinten Hermans and Mauri Vansevenant will be targeting the climbs, while Jasper Stuyven will be looking to see how he has recovered from the broken collarbone he suffered at Dwars Door Vlaanderen in March.
Finally, many are looking forward to seeing what Cian Uijtdebroeks can do. The 20-year-old surprised everyone by finishing eighth in last year's Vuelta de España. He will be given free reign during the Giro by Team Visma | Lease a Bike, who are missing Wout Van Aert due to injury.
Giro-Tour double
If Pogacar wins the Giro, he will not be satisfied yet. He is aiming to become the eighth rider in history to win both the Giro and the Tour de France in the same year, joining the ranks of legends such as Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx and Marco Pantani. And shortly after the Tour, two gold medals will be up for grabs at the Paris Olympics.
Despite the success he has enjoyed so far, 2024 could be Pogacar's best year yet. The chances are, it will all start with a Giro d'Italia victory.
© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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