Tadej Pogačar, barring any incidents, is poised to take the 2024 Tour de France and complete the first Giro-Tour double since 1998. At that time, the late Marco Pantani won both Grand Tours. Before that, Miguel Indurain won them both and came within one place of the Triple Crown: that is, the Giro, the Tour, and the World Road Championship. The Tour of Spain was never factored into the Triple Crown because, prior to 1995, it conflicted with the Giro and was generally considered a lesser Grand Tour compared to the Italian and French versions. In 1995, it moved to September. Still, the Triple Crown consists of both GTs and the rainbow jersey.
The Giro-Tour double
Before the start of the season, Pogačar mentioned that he had the double in mind. “I think everybody wants to do the double, and it is one of the hardest things to achieve,” the Slovenian said. “I think the main goal for all the GC riders who have already won some Grand Tours is to have all three of them. This is something to have in your palmarès, so let’s see how it goes with the Giro and how it goes with the Tour. Let’s not think about the double; let’s just go enjoy racing.”
The question of the Vuelta
Although other cyclists have won more than one Grand Tour in the same year, no one in men’s cycling has ever won all three. Pogačar could break that record if he races the Vuelta in September. However, Team UAE Emirates’ boss said that would be unwise.
“I’m not sending him. It would be too much stress to attempt a third Grand Tour with the goal of victory,” Gianetti told Tuttobiciweb. “Sure, if he won, it would be something unique, but I also have to think about his future. I don’t want to risk burning him out. And if I push him too hard? You know, if he were to win, we’d be criticized for being greedy. If it goes badly, we’d face a lot of criticism.”
The Triple Crown, however
Pogačar has said he would go for the Triple Crown, noting that the world championships course in Zurich is hillier and definitely favours him. “The world championships is one of my main goals for 2024,” he said.
Despite Gianetti’s reservations, what would happen if Pogačar insisted on racing the Vuelta? “Who could stop him? Pogačar is in a position to dictate terms. You have to accommodate a rider like that.”
That being said, Pogačar has repeatedly said he wouldn’t be racing at the Vuelta. Then again……
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