“Pogacar will return in 2027 stronger than ever”

Joxean Fernández Matxíndirector of the UAE, the best team in the world for the fourth consecutive year, scoring 78 victories in the course with 20 different riders, considers that the great dream would be “to win the big three of the season with the team”, and there is no doubt that the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar “will return stronger than ever.”

When it came to taking stock and exposing future desires, the Basque coach acknowledged in an interview with Eurosport that “the great dream of the UAE is to achieve the same as Visma in 2023, winning the Giro, Tour and Vuelta in the same year.”

“That goal could be achieved any year, but I don’t know why it doesn’t happen. This year we have had very bad luck with the issue of falls. We’ve had 78, we’ve had 18 runners with fractures. I believe that all these circumstances have made us be strong and overcome ourselves,” he commented.

Matxín also recognized another great, inevitable goal, that of achieving the record of 6 Tours de France with Pogacar, despite the fact that there is talk of an anti-Pogacar tour by the organization.

“I understand the organizers because they do not want the Tour to be decided in the fourth stage. I understand that perspective. Last year, they explained to me that they were doing the Tourmalet stage with the perspective that the Tour would not be broken. “I’m not a futurist, but I do understand that the organizers look for formats so that the race is as open as possible,” he explained.

Matxín referred to the direct rivals that Pogacar will have in 2027, and not only pointed out the Frenchman Paul Seixas as the main threat.

“I would never say that he will be the greatest rival. The same thing that Seixas came out this year, another one could come out. Jonas Vingegaard It has been the usual rival, but this year it was not due to a fall. For the same reason Tadej did not win the Vuelta. In cycling everything goes very fast. Last year we talked about Jonas being the rival and it was Remco Evenepoel. Remco should not be ruled out. Jonas should not be ruled out. And obviously we should not rule out Paul Seixas, because he has burst in brilliantly,” he explained.

Pogacar is going to be better than last year

“I have no doubt that Pogacar is going to be better than last year. When you really suffer bad moments, you will get more flavor out of it and take advantage of the good moments. I think that in everything you have to be positive in life and in the bad moments you have to know that you are going to come back stronger and with that little bit of anger that helps you improve,” says Matxín.

The Biscayan coach referred to the management of the injury that forced Pogacar to withdraw from the Vuelta when he was the leader.

“The medical team, with Adrian Rotunno at the helm, was very consistent in advising that the year was over. The medical team decided that it was best for the year to end so as not to take any risk. I think it was a wise decision and I have to thank it, because possibly, from my perspective of the sporting field, you always look for when he can return and be available.”

Pogacar and Del Toro opt for any race

The director of the UAE explained that all his runners will have their share of prominence in each race, admitting the main leadership of Pogacar and Isaac del Toro.

“Runners like Del Toro and Pogacar will be candidates to fight for victory in any race. We will make a balanced team and everyone will have their opportunities. 20 different riders have won races, making the record, not just for wins like we did with 97, but for different riders winning. For me, as a coach, I value, esteem and feel proud.”