'I better not say': Pogacar keeps cards close on Vuelta form compared to Tour

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) declined to reveal how his form compares to his Tour de France-winning level after he safely navigated stage 5 of the Vuelta a España, maintaining his healthy lead of 3:21 over Primož Roglič. 

Asked how his current form compares with the level he showed to win a record-equalling fifth Tour, Pogačar was hesitant in his response before choosing to keep his cards close to his chest.

“I better not say nothing,” Pogačar told Eurosport.  

The race leader had little reason to show his hand on stage 5 after his dominant performance on Tuesday’s Andorran mountain test. 

He was asked if gaining such an advantage in the opening week means he can ease off in the second and third week, with future goals such as the world championships to think about.

“Any advantage is good, as I always say. The more is better, and then if you have more advantage, you can be calmer going into the next days,” Pogačar said.

Though with the potential of crosswinds and the Puerto de Paüls inside the final 30km, Pogačar and his teammates remained attentive and towards the front throughout the finale of the fifth stage to Roquetes.

Pogačar explained the importance of being well-positioned ahead of the final climb, which had narrow roads.

“Today was not meant to be, but it was still a tough stage, and we had it under control with the team. So I’m really happy with today,” he said.

“You never know what happens in the back, and it's always more nervous in the back, and yeah, we took the front, and we did a really good job.”

In the end, Matthew Brennan (Visma | Lease a Bike) darted to his second stage victory, seemingly with ease, and Pogačar was asked about the rising talents of the sport, including Brennan and his UAE teammate Pablo Torres.

“Chapeau to all the youngsters. Vuelta is always a good race for the young guys coming, and yeah it's good to see that we have big talents coming up.”

“He's [Pablo Torres] a very good rider, but I think an even greater person. He's a super nice kid and super humble, and I wish him all the best for this Vuelta and for his whole career because he's a really hard worker and yeah he's a good kid.”

Pogačar now turns his attention to another difficult stage to Castelló on Thursday that could present him with another opportunity to gain time. 

“We will see, I feel good and tomorrow is already another hard day, so you never know,” Pogačar said.