Tadej Pogačar is back: Slovenian finishes third on first race day since April
His UAE Team Emirates teammate Rafał Majka won stage one of the Tour of Slovenia, as the pair gained almost a minute on the peloton


Welcome back, Tadej Pogačar. The usual, is it?
UAE Team Emirates' precocious Slovenian had been away from racing for two months, his last race being Flèche Wallonne back in April. With just over a fortnight to go until the Tour de France, the 23-year-old was finally back in action at his home race, the Tour of Slovenia, on Wednesday. It was as if he had never been away.
He attacked on the climb of Zadlog with 59km to go, dragging his teammate Rafał Majka and Domen Novak of Bahrain-Victorious with him. After the initial surge had established the breakaway, the trio worked together well to keep the peloton at bay.
Pogačar then dovetailed his attacks late on with Majka to ensure that Novak was outmanoeuvred, which led to the latter's stage win, one which was celebrated heartily by the former as he crossed the line.
Along with the stage win, the attack means Pogačar only elevated his status as favourite for the five-stage race, as with bonuses he now has 50 seconds over his rivals in the peloton. He can just bend a race at whim.
His escape brought back memories of his stunning solo victory at Strade Bianche earlier this year, where he went away with 50km of the race still to come.
As well as an excellent result for him and his team at the race, it was also a reminder for those looking to unseat him at the Tour de France of his form; it never seems to go away.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
While Jumbo-Visma impressed at the Critérium du Dauphiné last week, with three stage wins and first and second overall, the state of Pogačar was unknown. While the field at the Tour of Slovenia is hardly that of the Tour, the way he forced the race apart, and then helped drive the winning move to the finish on day one, proves that he has good legs.
He turned down the opportunity to race at the Dauphiné or the Tour de Suisse, and instead decided to ride on his home roads, in front of his home fans, as he did last year. It clearly worked then, so why not now?
Pogačar has, in fact, spent eight full weeks away from racing, with a slightly extended break due to him missing Liège-Bastogne-Liège. However, it is not like he has had an empty calendar, winning at the UAE Tour, Strade Bianche, and Tirreno-Adriatico, before he targeted the Classics. It is also believed that the Vuelta a España is on his schedule, which he might be fresher for now.
There are tougher tests to come this week in Slovenia, and next month in France, but Pogačar looks like he will keep powering on.
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

Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW in 2021 he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.
Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to riding bikes.
-
FDJ-Suez, SD Worx-Protime, Lidl-Trek confirmed for Tour of Britain Women as strong list of teams announced
18 teams set to take part in four-day WorldTour stage race
By Tom Thewlis
-
Cyclists could face life sentences for killing pedestrians if new law passed in England and Wales
Reckless cycling currently carries a maximum two-year jail term
By Tom Thewlis
-
Tadej Pogačar flies to dominant victory at La Flèche Wallonne
Slovenian takes second win at Belgian classic ahead of Kévin Vauquelin and Tom Pidcock
By Tom Thewlis
-
'The line was 5 metres too far' - Tadej Pogačar reacts to Amstel Gold Race second place
World champion reeled back and beaten in sprint by Lidl-Trek's Mattias Skjelmose
By Tom Davidson
-
'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
-
'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
-
'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
-
Tadej Pogačar commemorates Strade Bianche crash with limited edition t-shirt - here's how you can buy it
Part of profits from new t-shirt will go to world champion's charity foundation
By Tom Davidson