Pogacar 'dropped' by locals on rusty bikes the day after time trial loss

Pogačar looked on in disbelief and later posted the clip with the caption: “A nice day out.”

The video came less than 24 hours after Pogačar's disappointing fourth place in the time trial, where he missed the podium by a single second behind Ilan Van Wilder. He had started two minutes and thirty seconds ahead of Evenepoel but was powerless to stop the Belgian from catching and passing him on the Côte de Kimihurura.

“I gave my everything,” Pogačar said at the finish. “Of course I’m disappointed Remco caught me, but he’s so fast, it’s incredible how good he is in this discipline and yeah, chapeau really, what a ride by him.”

Despite the setback, Pogačar remained typically gracious and upbeat, joking that he hoped Evenepoel had “prepared 100% for the time trial” so that he might only be “99% ready for next Sunday’s road race.” He also pointed out that illness before the Canadian races had limited his time trial preparations, but insisted his decision to race in Quebec and Montreal was the right one in view of his main goal: defending his rainbow jersey in the road race.

For now, Pogacar looks to move past the disappointment with a smile, having been dropped twice in two days. Once by Remco Evenepoel, once by locals on rusty bikes.