Slovenian duo dominate

At Tirreno and Paris-Nice no one could find answers to Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic, writes Vern Pitt

- Vern Pitt

Jonas Vingegaard seemingly spoke for the entire pro peloton when he remarked that he “didn’t even think about following” Tadej Pogacar as he launched a blistering attack to seal Slovenia’s dominance of the early season stage races at the weekend.

The Jumbo-Visma rider, who finished Tirreno-Adriatico in second place nearly two minutes down on his UAE rival, expressed the bewilderment all Pogacar’s rivals must feel seeing him clip off the front of the leading group of favourites with ease on the race’s queen stage. Vingegaard told CW sister publication Cyclingnews.com the Tour de France champion was simply “in a league of his own”.

The only crumb of comfort for those hoping to usurp Pogacar’s place at the head of cycling’s table was that he’d later remark that he was merely very near his Tour de France-winning best. Speaking to the press, he said: “My fitness is more or less similar to last year at this time. I’m not so far from my Tour shape, the numbers are quite good.”

Of course, no one had an answer for his blistering form in July last year, either. It’s just that now he seems to be able to do it all year round having already wrapped up victory in the UAE Tour (as he did in 2021) and Strade Bianche in 2022.

While riders racing in Italy watched in bewilderment at Pogacar’s dominance there was a similar sentiment rippling through the peloton at Paris-Nice. There, it was Pogacar’s compatriot Primož Roglic who was busy breaking hearts.