Greg LeMond has praised Tadej Pogačar’s determination to journey Paris-Roubaix and stated that he feels the UAE Crew Emirates-XRG racer is greater than in a position to win the Hell of the North immediately.
Previous to Pogačar, LeMond is the final defending Tour de France champion to deal with Paris-Roubaix, again in 1991. He completed fifty fifth.
The American described Pogačar, one in every of 53 debutants on this yr’s Paris-Roubaix, as an excellent expertise with the capability to win throughout the board. Like Pogačar LeMond himself gained each the World Championships – in LeMond’s case, twice – and the Tour de France 3 times.
LeMond stated he discovered it onerous to imagine that a lot time had gone previous with out one other reigning Tour de France champion collaborating.
“Pogacar is just like the one in one million. He’s dominating in a really aggressive peloton proper now,” LeMond instructed AFP. “With radios and structured groups, his solo wins are much more spectacular.”
“He loves biking. It appears like he’s having enjoyable doing it, and might be the best bike owner ever. I imply, the way in which he’s successful, the races he’s gained—it’s distinctive.”
LeMond highlighted Pogačar’s success at successful so younger.
“He’s solely 26. Pogacar has in all probability a number of extra Tour offensives in his legs. However you possibly can’t low cost (Jonas) Vingegaard. They’re very shut within the Tour de France. That’s what’s making biking so thrilling proper now.”
“What I like about this era is that they are proving themselves at a really younger age.”
LeMond touted the Slovenian as a key favorite for Roubaix, though he additionally recognised that double Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), the winner in 2023 and 2024 was possible the highest contender.
“He can win it, completely. He’s not too mild,” LeMond stated of the 66kg Pogacar.
“Van der Poel, for me, continues to be in all probability the favourite, purely from his previous outcomes and his expertise. However there are lots of sturdy riders proper now.”
In contrast to the Tour, which he gained in 1986, 1989 and 1990, LeMond by no means conquered Paris-Roubaix, however he stated that it all the time had a particular place in his coronary heart. He was additionally baffled by the very fact so few defending Tour champions had then gone on to race it the next yr.
It is nearly… it ought to be unlawful,” he instructed AFP. “I imply, as a professional bike owner, how may you not need that have?”
“It’s a magical race. It’s the very best race,” he added. “The Tour de France is my first selection, however Paris-Roubaix is the one I might have liked to win.”
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