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The battle went Tadej Pogačar’s way at the world championships last Sunday, but Remco Evenepoel has the chance for a little revenge this weekend.
Both riders will line out in the Giro Dell’Emilia on Saturday, with Pogačar showing off his new rainbow jersey for the first time.
“This period of the year is always one of my favourites for racing. It will be even more special now with the world champion’s jersey on my back,” he said.
“What happened in Zurich was a dream for me. Whatever happens from here on is a plus but given the amazing season we’ve had as a team we want to push right until the last race and end on a high note.”
Evenepoel also picked up a rainbow jersey in Switzerland, but it was not the one he most wanted. He successfully defended the time trial title he took last year but wasn’t quite at his best in the road race. He placed fifth as part of the group sprinting for bronze.
Pogačar, meanwhile, launched a stunning attack with 101 kilometers to go, bridging across to the day’s breakaway, pressing on ahead with Pavel Sivakov (France) and then going fully solo with 51km left.
He held off a frantically-chasing group behind despite appearing to waver slightly on the final lap.
The audacious long-range move initially perplexed both Evenepoel and defending champion Mathieu van der Poel.
Pogačar had the last laugh, though, and while Evenepoel lost out on the chance to regain his 2022 road race crown, he will look to win one of the upcoming races and end his stellar year on a high note.
“Giro dell’Emilia is one of the most beautiful races of the month,” said Soudal Quick-Step directeur sportif Davide Bramati. “We travel there with the motivation and determination of doing something nice.
“We start there our Italian block of racing, which culminates next weekend with Il Lombardia – the season’s final monument – and we are confident in our chances, especially as we have a team capable of featuring in the business end of the race and fighting for a strong result.”
Neither rider has won the Giro Dell’Emilia before. Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) was second to Primož Roglič last year and runner-up in 2022 behind Enric Mas. Evenepoel was fifth in 2021, with Roglič also winning then and in 2019.
The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider will go for his fourth success on Saturday. This sets the scene for what could be a fascinating battle between team leaders at the race.
It is part of the buildup for Il Lombardia, the season-ending Italian classic. Pogačar has won the past three editions and wants a fourth.
Doing so in the rainbow jersey? That would make it even more special.
“These end of year classics in Italy are beautiful, exciting races and we’re ready to give them a good shot,” he promised.
