Tadej Pogačar on site at the Tour de France Femmes: 'Women's cycling is more interesting than men's'
The Tour runner-up is supporting his fiancée Urška Žigart, who he says is one of the best climbers in the world.
There was no rest for the 2022 Tour de France runner-up Tadej Pogačar on Monday. Mere hours after finishing three hard weeks of racing, the Slovenian cycling star was back among the team cars. Still sporting a large patch of road rash on his shin, Pogačar was out on the second day of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift supporting his fiancée Urška Žigart.
A late call-up for the Team BikeExchange roster at the momentous rebirth of a women’s Tour de France, Žigart is a two-time Slovenian time trail champion and, according to Pogačar, could be a contender on the mountains.
“It was a big surprise for her, but not so much for me because I know how good she is.
I'm super proud and happy that she's at the biggest race of women’s cycling,” Pogačar told Cycling Weekly.
Žigart and Pogačar met at a cycling training camp in 2017 when they were both part of the City Ljubljana program, and got engaged in 2021. The pair train together whenever they have the chance and Pogačar has nothing but confidence in his fiancée's abilities. But whereas Pogačar starting cycling early - at the age of nine - and already has two Tour de France victories to his name, Žigart didn’t get her start until she was 18 and is still coming into her own as a professional cyclist.
Pogačar revealed that despite her time trialling pedigree, Žigart is also quite the climber.
“She can climb really good. I think she’s one of the best climbers in the world,” he said.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“I hope Urska can win. I hope she can shine on Saturday or Sunday. They are two good stages for her and I can’t wait to see her race and support her.”
The final two stages of the women’s Tour de France will see the peloton tackle the Grand Ballon and Le Planche Des Belles Filles where Pogačar himself broke the climbing record last month.
When asked what his advice was for his betrothed, he grinned stating: “full gas to the top. It's a super hard finish, but I think, yeah, they will race really hard and that's good for her.’
Pogačar is a big fan and advocate of women’s cycling, and has been spotted on the sidelines at various women’s races over the years.
“I love to watch women's cycling,” Pogačar said. "It's more complicated than men's cycling and more interesting. There’s more attacking, you never know what's gonna happen and I think it makes it really, really fun to watch.”
Pogačar said he’ll be watching the final two stages in person until then, he “will be all time on watching on TV, glued to the screen.”
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
Cycling Weekly's North American Editor, Anne-Marije Rook is old school. She holds a degree in journalism and started out as a newspaper reporter — in print! She can even be seen bringing a pen and notepad to the press conference.
Originally from The Netherlands, she grew up a bike commuter and didn't find bike racing until her early twenties when living in Seattle, Washington. Strengthened by the many miles spent darting around Seattle's hilly streets on a steel single speed, Rook's progression in the sport was a quick one. As she competed at the elite level, her journalism career followed, and soon she became a full-time cycling journalist. She's now been a cycling journalist for 11 years.
-
'I've never seen the cobbles as bad as this' - Inside one team's Paris-Roubaix recon
Tom Davidson joins British Continental team Lifeplus-Wahoo as they prepare for the most feared race of the season
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Marianne Vos is still boss, Lorena Wiebes raves, and Geraint Thomas issues a warning
While some riders hope to manage one win in their career, Marianne Vos has 250
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'First I focus on the Classics': Lotte Kopecky unsure of Tour de France Femmes participation in Olympic year
Belgian aiming to peak in April with Paris-Roubaix a potential target
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: Is the 2024 Tour de France too hard?
With so much packed into the route, is it too rich a meal?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Demi Vollering and Jonas Vingegaard crowned as best riders in the world for 2023 at Vélo d'Or awards
Mathieu van der Poel and Lotte Kopecky named as best Classics riders at French awards ceremony
By Adam Becket Published
-
How to watch Giro di Lombardia: Live stream the 2023 edition
A Giro di Lombardia live stream is the best way to keep up with this year's race. Here's how to watch in 2023.
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
Opinion: There will never be another bike rider like Annemiek van Vleuten
The flying Dutchwoman could almost win it all, but now her era has almost ended, she should be remembered as the greatest
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I still can't believe it' - Demi Vollering wins Tour de France Femmes 2023
SD Worx rider seals yellow jersey with three-minute gap, as team-mate Marlen Reusser triumphs on stage eight
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She was better' - Annemiek van Vleuten tips hat to Demi Vollering on Tour de France Femmes raid
Reigning champion concedes defeat to compatriot on Col du Tourmalet
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I don’t know how I do it’ - Demi Vollering stunned after Tourmalet victory at Tour de France Femmes
Dutchwoman lays waste to GC rivals on stage seven and takes the yellow jersey
By Tom Davidson Published