Alberto Contador revealed that he is excited about the 2024 season. He revealed what he thinks about the favorites for the Tour de France, his opinion on Remco Evenepoel’s chances and also launches a small challenge for Tadej Pogacar to compete in the three Grand Tours.
Tadej Pogacar should compete in the Vuelta
“Tadej Pogacar should do the triple and also ride the Vuelta! He can do something special and stand out in a Grand Tour”, said Contador in an interview, during the Velofillies fair, in Belgium.
“The climbs in the Giro are different from those in the Tour and require different tactics. I don’t think the combination is ideal as preparation for the Tour, but it shouldn’t be too big of a problem.” Tadej Pogacar has already announced his race program for 2024. He should put aside the spring classics to focus on trying to succeed in the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.
Favorite in the Giro d’Italia, not so much in the Tour de France
While in the Giro d’Italia he will lead the team alone, being the main favorite, in the Tour de France he should be the main leader, among four icons of the UAE Team Emirates, who will try to regain the supremacy of the Visma-Lease a Bike, despite the presence of Primoz Roglic, for BORA-Hansgrohe and Remco Evenepoel for Soudal Quick-Step.
“He won’t compete much before the Giro and can rest afterwards. But I think Jonas Vingegaard is the favorite”, believes Contador.” These teams (UAE Team Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike) have an advantage.”
The former winner of three Grand Tours made an interesting statement, in relation to Tadej Pogacar: “If Pogacar wins the Giro and the Tour, he will go to the Vuelta a España, I think”.
Remco Evenepoel
He also spoke about Belgian idol Remco Evenepoel, who doesn’t have such lofty ambitions but is sure to make headlines regardless of his campaign. “Remco will provide the show regardless. If he doesn’t win this year, he probably will in the future.”
The former winner of three Grand Tours concluded with an interesting, ambitious statement regarding Tadej Pogacar: “If Pogacar wins the Giro and the Tour, he will go for the Vuelta triple, I think.”
