Tadej Pogačar is impressed by the route of the 2022 Tour de France, even if he views it as a complex affair with numerous potential booby traps.
The race begins with a 13km time trial and two windy but flat stages in Denmark, before transitioning south to undertake cobbles, more crosswinds, punchy ascents and mythical Alpine climbs.
Pogačar won his second successive Tour this summer after dominating the opening week, and it is likely that the winner of the 2022 edition will have to not just survive a seriously difficult first nine stages but be in a commanding position if they want to win the yellow jersey.
Week two and week three pack in six mountain stages before culminating with a 40km time trial, a distance that Pogačar could put a good amount of time into his rivals.
The Slovenian, who only turned 23 just over three weeks ago, told the media in Paris after the route's unveiling: "It's pretty great. It's pretty interesting from stage one to the last stage, with sprint stages, crosswinds, cobblestones, small climbs, steep climbs, long climbs, everything. It's really a complete Tour.
"I will do some recon because it will be necessary. I am pretty excited. The windy stages are always tricky and everybody is nervous for those stages. It will be interesting to see what happens.
"When you have a 20km-long bridge [in Denmark], it's rare that nothing happens. It will be scary.
"I think the time trials are good news, if I feel good."
Fifty-three time trialling kilometres will favour Pogačar and his fellow Slovenian Primož Roglič, but the UAE-Team Emirates man refused to be drawn on who will be the favourites just yet.
"There are lots," he said. "We will talk about it when we start. It's a really long way to July.
"We need to start the season first and then we talk about the favourites. It's a bit more pressure than if you didn't win before."
-
-
Seven men jailed for stealing bikes worth £70k from Rutland Cycling shop
Police caught the gang of thieves who had stolen 23 bikes from the chain store in Grafham Water
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
These are all the teams applying for WorldTeam and Women’s WorldTeam status next year
Qhubeka-NextHash miss the first deadline, as five women’s teams apply to step up to the top level
By Alex Ballinger •
-
'I think he can do better than me': Eddy Merckx heaps praise on Tadej Pogačar
Belgian legend expects Pogačar to surpass his record in some races
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Tadej Pogačar adds World Championships and Giro d'Italia to his wish list but is not done with the Tour de France
The Slovenian says he's still hungry to win at the Tour despite his dominance over the last year
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Five things to look out for at Il Lombardia 2021
The final Monument of the season is here - don't miss these moments
By Stephen Puddicombe •
-
Tadej Pogačar says we need more long range attacks in cycling after his 120km solo move
The double Tour de France winner says that races should be more attacking like Paris-Roubaix
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Tadej Pogačar: 'I'm not a pop star, I'm just a bike rider'
The Slovenian keeps himself firmly tethered to the ground despite winning his second yellow jersey, and sets his sights on the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España
By Jonny Long •
-
'I don't think Pogačar trains harder but he's more talented and goes through life as a god of cycling,' says Oliver Naesen
The Belgian opens up on the mental struggles of having a season that doesn't go your way
By Jonny Long •
-
Tadej Pogačar opts out of Vuelta a España 2021 as he focuses on one-day races
The Tour de France winner is looking ahead to the GP Plouay in Brittany instead
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Richard Carapaz storms to gold medal in Tokyo 2020 Olympics road race
The Ecuadorian put in a phenomenal ride to hold off a chasing group behind
By Alex Ballinger •
