Grand Prix de Quebec 2024: Tadej Pogacar rues late charge as Slovenian finishes seventh on racing return
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/16/image-4414b260-c386-47c6-af98-0a2675a5a091-68-310-310.jpeg)
Published 14/09/2024 at 09:43 GMT+1
Tadej Pogacar had not raced for 54 days since his third Tour de France victory and was satisfied with his physical condition after finishing seventh at the 2024 Grand Prix de Quebec. The Slovenian admitted that his late attack was an error as the Giro d'Italia winner found himself boxed in for the sprint to the line. Nevertheless, Pogacar was pleased to be back on the tarmac from his long hiatus.
Matthews delighted after 'incredible' GP Quebec victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tadej Pogacar admitted he made “the wrong decision” after a late charge left him seventh at the Grand Prix de Quebec.
In his first competitive race since winning his third Tour de France, the Slovenian launched a trademark attack with 2.2km remaining of the one-day Laurentian Classic.
But defending champion Arnaud De Lie and a couple of his Lotto Dstny teammates clung to the back of his wheel, allowing the peloton to eventually reel in the breakaway.
Michael Matthews emerged victorious as Pogacar found himself boxed in for the sprint to the line but the 25-year-old was nevertheless pleased to make his return to racing.
"It was a really good race,” said Pogacar. “The team did a super good job. I wanted the hard final and we did it.
"We managed to do a really hard last couple of laps, but I was not sure of my last kilometre if I would attack or not.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/13/4039677-81931188-2560-1440.png)
Highlights: Matthews storms to third GP Quebec win as Pogacar fades
Video credit: TNT Sports
“But I made the wrong decision, waited for the sprint and I was boxed in.
"But I'm super happy to be back, the legs were turning good and I cannot wait for Sunday.
"Maybe I could stay away but it is what it is, it was really fun racing and I enjoyed it a lot.”
The other half of the Laurentian Classic is on the line this weekend, with Pogacar hoping to recapture his Grand Prix de Montreal title from 2022.
- Mathieu van der Poel doubts chances of defending men's road race title at World Championships
- Tadej Pogacar says he was right to skip Paris 2024 Olympics after Tour de France win
And responding to the suggestion that the failure of his late attack was down to an expectation the group would hold on to the finish, the three-time Tour champion concurred.
Pogacar said: "For sure, that's why I did not go for a longer attack because I looked back and there was still a gap with 1km to go.
"Three guys from Lotto, I was thinking we would make it to the finish but the group was coming from behind really fast and I should have launched it before."
Having skipped Paris 2024 due to fatigue following Giro d’Italia and Tour de France triumphs, the Slovenian was surprised at his physical fitness after 54 days out of action.
"I was not expecting this good legs to be back so I'm super happy with the shape and how I managed the first race after a bit of a rest. So I think I'm ready for Sunday and World Championships now," said Pogacar.
Next week’s UCI Road World Championships swiftly follow Sunday’s Grand Prix de Montreal, offering Pogacar a golden chance to win his first Triple Crown.
Stream the GP Quebec and GP Montreal live on Eurosport and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement