The stage is set for a Tadej Pogacar vs Primoz Roglic rematch
The prestigious cycling event starts one week earlier than usual so as to not clash with the Olympic Games
Not so long ago, Tadej Pogacar was a just a promising outsider still learning the ropes of cycling’s biggest race.
His rise to become the second-youngest winner of the Tour de France in September last year has changed everything: the 22-year-old returns to the three-week event as the odds-on favourite to defend his title.
Going from an ambitious Tour rookie to defending champion in such a short time could have been an unsettling experience.
But Pogacar has perfectly dealt with his sudden rise to stardom, linking his Tour triumph with victories this season at the UAE Tour, Tirenno-Adriatico and the prestigious one-day classic Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
Since his remarkable feat on the slopes of the Planche des Belles Filles where he snatched the coveted race leader’s yellow jersey in a high-drama time trial, Pogacar has kept improving. He looks even stronger this year, backed by a powerful squad entirely at his service.
