Pogacar admits he is ‘heavier than usual’ after third Romandie win: ‘I got carried away in the gym’

UAE Team Emirates-XRG set the tone early, controlling a demanding stage and keeping a close watch on a dangerous breakaway that included Primož Roglič and Valentin Paret-Peintre. For Pogačar, the victory was built on the strength of the team around him.

“It was pure team work. We said that if we come with seven riders over the first two climbs, then we can go for the stage,” Pogačar told CyclingProNet before crediting the subsequent work of his teammates.

“Chapeau to everyone from the team today. The first hour was so hard, then to bring the breakaway back on the climb, yeah, the teammates were all fantastic, and I could finish it off, so I’m super happy.”

Pogačar launched his race-winning move on the Jaunpass inside the final 20km, with Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) being able to initially follow before being dispatched with 18km to go. 

Though Pogačar stretched the advantage until the summit, Lipowitz held his own on the descent and valley roads to the finish that followed, finishing 0:14 adrift.

It was also put to the World Champion if the competition stands no chance when he launches his trademark attacks. However, Pogačar was quick to acknowledge the strength of the competition and highlighted how hard he was pushed by Lipowitz in particular.

“No, I disagree, the competitors today were really good, really strong, and it was really hard to drop Florian in the end, and on the downhill, he gave me a really hard time keeping the gap the same all the time, so it was definitely not easy,” said Pogačar. 

The most interesting answer came when the subject turned to Pogačar’s physical condition. After tailoring much of his spring towards races such as Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix, the Slovenian acknowledged that he is carrying more weight than he normally would for a stage race.

“Yeah, I won’t deny that I’m heavier than usual,” he said. “But I feel good on the bike. That’s what’s most important for me, that I don’t struggle and have a good time.”

The explanation, he suggested, was partly down to the work he had done away from the bike in recent months.

“I got a little bit carried away in the gym also,” he admitted. “I really, really liked it and got into it. So maybe now it’s time to back off a little bit.”

It has hardly slowed him down in Romandie. Pogačar’s third stage win of the week moved him 35 seconds clear of Lipowitz in the general classification, with Lenny Martinez third at 2:23.