The reigning champion is the clear favorite to take victory at Strade Bianche this Saturday.
It’s nothing to be embarrassed about to come in second to Tadej Pogačar – that’s the sentiment from XDS Astana’s Alberto Bettiol, who remarked that the world champion is “nearly unbeatable” ahead of Strade Bianche.
Pogačar is the clear favorite to triumph in the Italian Classic on Saturday, having previously claimed victory twice in his career with distant assaults. Confronted with the threat of another Slovenian attack, Bettiol remarked, “there’s nothing we can do” to prevent it.
“I truly believe that there isn’t anyone on the Strade Bianche entry list who can even attempt to keep up with him,” the Italian stated to Cyclingnews.
“He makes cycling a joy to observe since he matches Eddy Merckx’s skill and is breaking all the records.” The ‘difficult’ aspect of racing against Pogačar is that you enter a competition aware that defeating him is nearly unattainable.
Pogačar secured 25 wins in 2024 – surpassing all other cyclists – featuring the ‘Triple Crown’ of the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and UCI World Championships. At just 26 years of age, he is regarded as one of the finest cyclists ever, potentially the best, and has recently received a nomination for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.
Losing to Pogačar isn’t a disgrace; it’s a ‘success’ to recall and treasure when we are older and retired, sharing our careers with our children while acknowledging just how incredible Pogačar was throughout his career,” Bettiol stated.
The remarks made by the Italian resonate with those of other cyclists from last season, such as Primož Roglič, who deemed Pogačar as “unbeatable.”
“At his current level, Tadej is truly formidable, making competition difficult,” Roglič stated in November. “I enjoy winning, but the truth is very evident.” Tadej possesses a few additional gears.
Last March, after Pogačar dominated the Volta a Catalunya by winning four stages and the overall title, the peloton submitted to his superiority.
“Certainly, I can’t compete,” stated Cofidis rider Guillaume Martin, “and I believe no rider here can contend with him.” Likewise, Attila Valter from Visma-Lease a Bike remarked that Pogačar is in a level of his own, surpassing everyone else.
This is the mindset of professional athletes; therefore, few will enter a competition aiming for second place. “It’s challenging to surpass Mr. Pogi, but you must make the effort,” Lidl-Trek’s Quinn Simmons shared with Cyclingnews in Siena. “We’re not going to just watch him ride off at Strade.” That’s the most probable result, but we won’t just hand it to him.
Strade Bianche will occur this Saturday, March 8, featuring 16 gravel sections on a round trip course from Siena, Italy. Coverage of the men’s race will commence at 13:00 in the UK (08:00 ET in the US), right after the women’s race in the morning.
