Tadej Pogačar aims to check off goals: "But it's almost impossible for him to beat Van der Poel"

The palmarès of Tadej Pogacar already looks very impressive, but the Slovenian still has a few races left to tick off. For instance, he hopes to one day win Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix in his career, but in these races, he has to contend with Mathieu van der Poel. And according to Jens Voigt, that is a problem.

The former rider—now best known as an analyst and on-bike reporter—sees Van der Poel as the big thorn in the side of the current world champion. "It’s almost impossible for Pogacar to win races like Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo as long as Van der Poel is still active and can start in good form," the German states in the Domestique Hotseat podcast.

"These races simply suit Van der Poel much better. Pogacar has already suffered two direct defeats in Milan-San Remo, and in between, Van der Poel helped his teammate Jasper Philipsen to victory. Also in the latest edition of Paris-Roubaix, Pogacar had to bow out after a head-to-head duel."

However, Voigt also sees a 'problem' for Van der Poel. "As long as Pogacar remains active and ambitious to win, it’s almost impossible for Van der Poel to claim the hill classics (Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Lombardy, ed.)."

The ex-rider also emphasizes that he enjoys the rivalry between these two champions. "I really enjoy their competition, the pursuit of greatness, and winning all five cycling monuments. Year after year. They really give it their all and provide a fantastic spectacle."