ZURICH (Switzerland) – It's even fun hearing Tadej Pogacar call his attack 100 kilometers from the finish line "a stupid move" worldToday we witnessed one of those feats that the singers of old would have consigned to history. We are here stunned by a masterpiece like we have never seen in the 28 World Cups we have followed so far.. Searching for the words to unite the objectivity of the gesture with our amazement and follow in the footsteps of our most illustrious predecessors.
Tadej Pogacar is the new world champion. He did exactly what Diego Ulissi predicted. in the interview published this morning. If he sees that someone is trying to frame him, this is the meaning of his words, Tadej attacks even if he is very far awaySaid and done. In the press conference in which he commented with satisfaction on his bronze medal, Mathieu Van der Poel described Pogacar's attack as panic-driven.He listens, amused and tired. He's wearing a rainbow jersey that makes his outlines shine, and a gold medallion around his neck.
"It wasn't fear," he says. "It was really a stupid move. But sometimes stupid moves yield great results. You don't decide it, there comes a time when you're stupid and you do it. But when you do one and then win, suddenly it doesn't seem so stupid anymore.To stop me from starting, they should have shot me in one knee and then another in the other, but by then it was too late. And I found myself on the run with 100 kilometers to go…».
Tratnik machine
Alone in the no man's land behind the escape, Pogacar found Tratnik waiting for himIf it weren't for the fact that Tadej just denied it, one would think that Jan's presence in that escape was organized with the assault in mind.
«Tratnik is a machine – he says – he pulled really hard. He was there because he was on the run, but when we got together again, it really motivated me. When I got back on the first breakaway, there was no way to communicate much moreWe knew we had to keep going, because Belgium was working hard behind us. So we passed and continued. Tratnik left me when there was still a long way to go and at that point I managed everything with my own headThen I met Sivakov. I needed him and he needed me to try to win a medal. I'm sorry he didn't succeed, because he was so strong. But I admit that it's good to be on the run with friendsthe".
Roller coasters
The day started with a little scene revealed by his Urska, towards which Pogacar ran after the finish, avoiding photographers and workers. She said she had to wake him up, he was sleeping so soundly.Tadej smiles, intrigued that the news has gotten out.
«The truth – he says – is that we had to wake up very early and I'm not the type who does that oftenThat's why I set the alarm, but when it went off I turned it off and went back to sleep. So it took her to get me out of bed. If nothing else, it shows that I wasn't nervous (smiles, ed.). I was more tired after the arrival – he adds – and even now, because I feel like I'm on a roller coasterThe last kilometer was crazy. The finish line was crazy. And when I saw Urska it was so touching that I wanted to cry».
A reassuring advantage
He managed the lead with the precision of someone who knows exactly what is happening behind him. The margin rose and fell. Never more than a minute, never less than 33 seconds of the minimum gap.. Meanwhile, he in front was turning his legs at a very high frequency, while the others behind were planted on too long relationships and the predictable lack of cohesion which in most cases makes the attacker's fortune. Especially when someone so strong is up front.
«I had good information on the detachments – he explains – thanks to the motorbike that gave me the advantages every two kilometres or soAnd then thanks to the team car, which I asked how it was going. And when after 240 kilometers you know that the backs are tired, then 35 seconds is no longer such a small margin. When I saw that at the top of the last climb that was the advantage, I threw myself down to gain more, knowing that it would be tough on the flat stretch, being now completely emptyI didn't give up, and the team did a great job. It's a shame we only race together a few times a year, because every time we do it, it creates a great group with great cohesion."
Childhood dreams
The arrival was a series of gestures that he will remember forever. It took him a while to understand the scope of his undertaking.He went from blowing away his last effort to disbelief. And only after crossing the line did his joy explode in a couple of screams that came from deep within him and from his childhood history.
«Since I was little – he admits – I dreamed of winning this jersey and winning the TourIn the last two or three years I've always been caught up in the hunt for the yellow jersey or the Giro d'Italia and I've never been able to prepare for the World Championships. But this year everything was perfect. I was able to prepare properly, the path was right for me.I was equally afraid of everyone back there. That's why at the start of the last lap I thought I'd save some energy, but objectively it was difficult. The sprint after the finish required brutal effort, but in the end it went well. And now I can't wait for the next race, because I'll be able to show off this beautiful jersey."
Tribute to Muriel
Remember trying a similar escape also in Imola 2020, when he remained exposed for an equally long time, wanting and having to prepare the attack by Roglic who had just taken away the yellow jersey of the Tour. But the evening is destined to end with teary eyes again, when the conversation shifts to Muriel Furrer. Almost as if to underline that it is unfair to celebrate so much over a victory in front of a girl who lost her life playing the same sport.
«It's been a tough week for everyone – says Pogacar – and on the starting line yesterday and today we all ran thinking of her and paying homage to her with our efforts. It's hard to say what could be changed. Cycling is like that, it's a dangerous sport, but we find online that this happens too often. We must be careful. We must take care of each other. We need respect when we run. The world of cycling is small and it's a family, for this reason I send my embrace to her loved ones and to all those who loved her."
The last words come out with difficulty. We imagine the evening will continue in the spirit of a great Slovenian celebration, but the tribute to the broken life of Muriel Furrer is another champion's gesture.The fact that Pogacar cried for the second time today revealed a side of him that his rivals, watching him disappear before them with 100 kilometers to go, would never have imagined. We hope our words have given him due credit.
