Your debut WorldTour season has been kiboshed by Covid-19, but you did get in quite a bit of racing in January and February – how did it go?
The start in Australia [Tour Down Under] was eye-opening – the level of racing and the pressure. Every day was full-on, and beyond the first day, I was uncomfortable all day, but it was a great learning experience. The Tour of Provence was even more eye-opening – the level of the climbing was pretty mad; all I could do was try to hang on for as long as possible!
Taking the step up, what’s the most striking change?
The level of performance. If you’re not at your best, you’re on the back foot and suffering. For example, [Nairo] Quintana in Provence was on another level. There’s also the pressure around each race, knowing that every result counts. Then again, the races can be easier to predict than an under-23 or Conti race. In the WorldTour, you’re just not sure whether it’s going to be hard or ridiculously hard!
Do you see yourself as a Classics specialist?
Denne historien er fra June 04, 2020-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
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Denne historien er fra June 04, 2020-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY
Johnny be good at making beautiful lightweight bikes
UK SCENE - WUNDERKIND HUDSON WINS YORKSHIRE CX
Newly crowned junior hill-climb champ shows his versatility by winning round seven on the mud
WATT WORKS FOR ME TADEJ POGAČAR
The man himself - subject of this special issue - explains the key performance changes behind his record-breaking year
11 WAYS TO POG-UP YOUR PLAN
Tadej Pocačar's performance is out of reach but you can adapt his training to raise your game. Chris Marshall-Bell consults the experts to find out how
Why do modern aero bikes look less aero?
Are today's aero bikes really faster, or is marketing just getting better? Joe Baker investigates...
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
An Olympic year is always special and the cycling season once again delivered a year of highs and lows, from Pogi's triple to Katie Archibald's pre-Olympic trip
MEET THE PARENTS
What made Tadej Pogačar the phenomenon he is today? Chris Marshall-Bell went to Slovenia to meet his mum and dad, Mirko and Marjeta
HALF MAN HALF GOAT
Tadej Pogačar may have had a phenomenal season, but has he done enough to cement his status as the greatest of all time? Chris Marshall-Bell weighs the arguments for and against
Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management
The news that Patrick Lefevere will step down as Quick Step boss marks the end of an era, after 22 years in charge
Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France
Dutchman hints at missing Tour in favour of mtb Worlds bid, reports Tom Thewlis from Dénia, Spain
