'He’s making history': Paris-Nice reacts to Strade Bianche masterclass from Tadej Pogačar
'He can still surprise us all the time’ João Almeida on Pogačar's performance in Tuscany


Just as UAE Team Emirates riders were settling into their hotels ahead of Paris-Nice starting on Sunday, their teammate, Tadej Pogačar, was hundreds of miles away putting in an attacking masterclass on the white gravel roads of Strade Bianche.
Many were left speechless at Pogačar’s daring 81 kilometre solo raid which resulted in a second victory at the Italian Classic for the Slovenian.
One man who wasn’t totally surprised at Pogačar’s exploits was Jayco-AIUla’s Michael Matthews. The Australian has trained regularly with Pogačar near their base in the south of France.
Matthews told Cycling Weekly in Les Mureaux that after he had ridden with the Slovenian recently it was clear he was going to hit the ground running in 2024.
"I think the whole cycling world was watching yesterday," Matthews said. "It was just a phenomenal performance. He did exactly what he said he was going to do.
"He said he was going to attack from that section from 80 kilometres to go and he just annihilated the peloton."
"We haven't trained together for the last few weeks as I've been away," he added. "But yeah, before that it was a lot and you could see that everything was going in a good way for him that's for sure."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
UAE Team Emirates DS Marco Marcato was glued to the television as he watched Pogačar’s attack unfold in the rain on the Monte Sante Marie gravel sector.
The Italian told Cycling Weekly that Pogačar continues to surprise his coaches with his performances on a yearly basis.
Marcato said: "It was just amazing to see and actually because he also declared before the start 'I'm going to attack on Monte Sante Marie' and then he did it.
"When you see the kilometres to the finish, 80 km, it was just huge and it's really a lot but Tadej is Tadej and he did it.
"Of course we are speaking about real talent and he's making the history of the new cycling, modern cycling.
"Actually every year we think okay, maybe he is at the limit but he always surprises us and he can just do better every time."
Marcato explained that he is constantly impressed with the two time Tour de France winner’s dedication to the sport and improvement in training.
"He is a great, really good guy and it is a real pleasure to work with him," he added. "But at the same time he is also really professional and focused on what he's doing. He just shows the champion that he is all the time."
Pogačar is set to make his Giro d’Italia debut in May before making a return to the Tour de France two months later.
Portugal’s João Almeida is set to line up alongside the Slovenian at the Tour for UAE Emirates as well as the likes of Adam Yates, Juan Ayuso, Marc Soler and Pavel Sivakov.
Ahead of stage one of Paris-Nice, Almeida explained that he couldn’t pull himself away from watching the action unfold in Italy on Saturday.
"I was watching the whole afternoon,” he said. “It was such an impressive effort. He can still surprise us all the time so it's so impressive. He is a pleasure to race with."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered major races elsewhere across the world. As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and focuses on coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
Why do I feel like a cheat every time I ride my e-bike?
I love my e-bike but struggle with the shame that accompanies me on my rides. Why?
By Simon Fellows
-
WTB Vulpine S TCS Gravel Tyre review - turbo charge your gravel racing (in the right conditions)
The WTB Vulpine S TCS Gravel Tyre is unashamedly aimed at riders who value speed above all else; mudpluggers need not apply
By Tim Russon
-
'If I were a tennis player then my career would be over': Remco Evenepoel contemplated early retirement after serious training accident
Double Olympic champion was left with nerve damage and says his shoulder is not yet fully healed ahead of his return to racing at Brabantse Pijl
By Tom Thewlis
-
Remco Evenepoel hails end of 'dark period' and announces racing return
Olympic champion says comeback from training crash has been 'the hardest battle of my life so far'
By Tom Thewlis
-
'One of the hardest races I've ever done in my life' - Tadej Pogačar finishes runner-up on Paris-Roubaix debut after crash
World champion reacts to 'extremely hard' battle with Mathieu van der Poel
By Tom Davidson
-
'I start every race to win' - Mathieu van der Poel fired up ahead of Paris-Roubaix showdown with Tadej Pogačar
Two-time winner says he has suffered with illness during spring Classics campaign
By Tom Thewlis
-
'We need to keep the biggest race in the sport free' - Petition calling for Tour de France to remain on free-to-air television reaches 10,000 signatures
As things stand, the Tour will be not be free to watch in 2026, but a petition is seeking to change the way it is categorised by the UK government
By Adam Becket
-
Could Caleb Ewan be Ineos Grenadiers' first Tour de France sprinter since Mark Cavendish? 'That's my goal'
"All I can do is try to win as much as possible and prove that I deserve to be there," says Australian
By Tom Davidson
-
'It's scary to see how much better he is' - Tadej Pogačar conquers all at the Tour of Flanders
The world champion won by a minute after a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont
By Adam Becket
-
Tadej Pogačar must attack from range at the Tour of Flanders - taking Mathieu van der Poel to the line is not an option
Slovenian must look to replicate his Oude Kwaremont attack from 2023 if he wants to guarantee being first across the line in Oudenaarde
By Tom Thewlis