VIKRCE (Slovenia) – The headquarters of Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana is a two-story villa like many found in the Slovenian countryside. The white wall eaten away by the fog and the cold, the surrounding mountains casting their shadow over the roof, and a silence so deep you can hear every breath. Outside, in the small internal courtyard, the vehicles of the continental formation and the flags recall the name of Tadej pogacarHere, half an hour from the capital Ljubljana, the story of the rider who is rewriting the rules and numbers of modern cycling began.
The door opens and the cold of the Slovenian autumn accompanies us even inside the workshop located at the entrance. Faux wood planks, a counter with drawers full of work tools and a rack where Gusto bicycles are hung waiting to be given a makeover for next seasonThe atmosphere is familiar, the guys from the continental team come here as if they were at home when it's been a while. Smiles, kits to try and a hand to the mechanic to make some small modifications.
Nicolas Gojković, the reigning Croatian champion, came to try on the clothing featuring his country's flag that he will wear next year.Hearing us speak in Italian, he says a few words, telling us that he raced as a junior for Team Fratelli Giorgi., often sharing the team house with Samuele Privitera. Remembering the smile of the Ligurian boy, who passed away this year at Tour of the Aosta Valley, we are amazed at how small the world is sometimes.
The beginning of it all
The rooms and narrow corridors let in a dim light that caresses the walls, all inside the headquarters of the Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana He talks about Tadej Pogacar, who has linked his name to this team. For years, Slovenia has boasted several riders capable of ranking among the world's best: Mohoric and Roglic above all, but since that boy with the quiff sticking out of his helmet won the Tour de France in 2020, many things have changed. To tell us about it is Bostjan Kavcnik, Tadej Pogacar's mechanic also now at UAE Team Emirates, which has always been linked to Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana.
«I joined this team in 1995 – says Bostjan in perfect Italian – when I was a student and still racing. I continued until the amateurs then over time I stopped and joined the team staffI still remember when we ordered the first Gusto bikes, it was 2014 when Tomaz Poljanec (the team manager) brought the first frames here. He worked as the director of Gusto in Australia and had built a team and then came back here to Slovenia. and start with the continental project."
Taking measurements
The first steps taken together between Gusto and Team Ljubljana have allowed both to grow and work towards the best setup. Managing to talk and make the needs coincide was not easy, but then the path taken bore fruit.The arrival of a talent like Tadej Pogacar, who won the 2018 Tour de l'Avenir with the Gusto Ranger model, has acted as a catalyst for increasingly important recognition.
«I remember that when I ordered the first frames – Bostjan Kavcnik continues – the sizes and geometries were so different. In fact, Gusto produced bicycles for the Asian market, so it was a bit of a learning curve.The frame Pogacar used to win the Avenir is a size XL, let's just say it's completely different from the European brands we're used to working with. Over time, Gusto has created bicycles in line with our market, becoming a reliable manufacturer (now Gusto has also opened its first European headquarters, right here in Slovenia, ed.)».
Tadej's footprint
Inside the Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana villa, on the upper floor, what is both an attic and a museum dedicated to Tadej Pogacar opensBicycles, trophies, jerseys, and photographs. His presence is evident here, and over time, a movement has grown, bringing together many young people and introducing them to cycling.
"The Rog Club, which has several members and which also includes the Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana – Bostjan Kavcnik explains – has seen a considerable increase in the number of members, even among the youngest. Up until five or six years ago we had five children doing activities, now we are at fiftyPogacar's name has inspired many young people and brought them closer to cycling. In total, the Rog Club (which includes all the youth categories, ed.) has over 200 members. A bit more if you include amateurs. Pogacar himself, despite his many commitments, passes by here once or twice a year, a few weeks ago he also organised the event in Command his hometown, where we went with all the registered participants (Pogacar at the opening with the guys from Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana behind him, Instagram photo, ed.)».
Looking around we are surprised to discover, around every corner, the absolutely normal story of a rider who is anything but normal. Where it all started, now eight years ago, the question we ask ourselves is whether it would be possible to see something like this now.. In the age of the I have to team up And of professionalism as soon as he comes of age, Pogačar's story should teach us that talent is born everywhere. And this should never be taken for granted.
