Tadej Pogačar 'completely understands' reasons for doping questions
UAE Team Emirates rider says he understands scepticism over his and Jonas Vingegaard's performances
Tadej Pogačar has said that he understand the questions that he and Jonas Vingegaard faced over doping at the Tour de France, as the pair continue to be far better than the rest of the peloton.
Speaking in his rest day press conference on Monday, the UAE Team Emirates rider said that he understood people asking questions "because of what happened in the past".
Asked if he understood the scepticism and the questions, the 24-year-old said: "Yeah, I understand. I always get this question every year now at the Tour so I don't see any difference this year to other years. We are riding [at our] best I must say. Every stage we go full and it's a hard one.
"But yeah, I understand people, that they ask questions, because of what happened in the past. Some people don't get get over it. And I completely understand them."
The Slovenian currently lies second overall after two weeks of racing at the 2023 Tour de France, just 10 seconds behind his big rival Vingegaard, who rides for Jumbo-Visma.
He and Vingegaard have been breaking records up the race's biggest climbs almost everywhere it has gone.
Asked on Sunday after an explosive stage 15 whether some fans are right to be doubtful given the history of doping within the sport, Vingegaard replied: “To be honest, I fully understand the scepticism. We have to be sceptical because of what happened in the past. Otherwise [if people weren’t] it would just happen again.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“In that way I fully understand all the questions we get about it. The only thing I can say is that I am not taking anything, but to be honest I am happy there is a bit of scepticism about it.
“We are going faster, quicker, maybe even quicker than back then. I think it’s a good thing.”
Vingegaard added that the reason why times are faster than ever is because of technological and scientific advancements. “The food, the material, the training, everything is different,” he said.
“Once again, it’s always good to be sceptical about it, or to at least think about it.”
With the pair so tight on time at this year's race, there has been speculation that the Tour could come down to who is on top mentally, but Pogačar was keen to stress that he did not know who had the advantage psychologically, and it would just come down to legs.
"I think we both just sleep and race in the moment," he said. "We don't look so much at the history of duels and battles but for sure we push each other in all the ways to improve ourselves and improve the teams. I don't know who would have an advantage in the psychological battle. He has his own mind, I have my own mind.
"I must say that I I enjoy this battle against him. This is the third year in a row now so it's a good duel and I respect this battle a lot."
Racing resumes on Tuesday with a 22.4km time trial from Passy to Combloux, with over 600m of climbing, before over 5,000m of climbing on stage 17 to Courchevel, including the Col de la Loze. However, Pogačar thinks the race might go deeper.
"Stage 20 can really be the hardest stage of the Tour in the end," the UAE rider said. "We will see how the situation is. If it's still tight, tied, and we need to gain some time, a lot can happen. You need to attack early and that makes the stage super hard."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling on tarmac, he's happy. Before joining Cycling Weekly he spent two years writing for Procycling, where he interviewed riders and wrote about racing. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds. Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to cycling.
-
Tadej Pogačar claims back-to-back wins at Giro d'Italia with stage 8 victory atop Prati di Tivo
Slovenian continues dominance in Italy, adding four more seconds to GC lead
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Giro d'Italia stage 8 live: Tadej Pogačar triumphs again
UAE Team Emirates patrol breakaway to set up another trademark win for the Slovenian
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Tadej Pogačar claims back-to-back wins at Giro d'Italia with stage 8 victory atop Prati di Tivo
Slovenian continues dominance in Italy, adding four more seconds to GC lead
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Just one of those days' - Geraint Thomas loses two minutes to Tadej Pogačar in Giro d'Italia battle
Ineos Grenadiers had four riders in the top 10 in the stage 7 time trial, but couldn't stop their UAE Team Emirates rival
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar extends Giro d’Italia lead with stunning time trial victory on stage 7
Slovenian adds almost two minutes to his GC advantage, beating Filippo Ganna against the clock
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Meet Vegard Stake Laengen, Tadej Pogačar's right-hand man at Grand Tours
The Norwegian bodyguard has been present in each of the Slovenian's Tour de France participations, and is now at the Giro d'Italia, too
By Adam Becket Published
-
Giro d'Italia stage 4 as it happened: Jonathan Milan wins after hectic sprint finish
All the action from the fourth stage of the Italian Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Tadej Pogačar’s biggest threat at this Giro d’Italia could be Tadej Pogačar
The Slovenian has taken an early lead, but can he keep burning matches without emptying his box?
By Adam Becket Published
-
New team philosophy, no foreign investment and Red Bull helmets: Inside the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe deal
Team CEO Ralph Denk says further big money signings, similarly to Primož Roglič, are unlikely as Red Bull money gives German team wings
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'In three weeks there can be a lot of surprises' - Tadej Pogačar says no room for complacency ahead of Giro d'Italia debut
Slovenian labelled the favourite for overall victory in Rome, but expecting a big challenge from Romain Bardet and Geraint Thomas
By Tom Thewlis Published