'We couldn't see' - Tadej Pogacar praises organisers after Tre Valli Varesine cancelled mid-race

"It was just a matter of time until some guy would crash," three-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar said after Tre Valli Varesine was cancelled due to bad weather. Despite efforts to race on Tuesday, heavy rain caused major safety concerns with Pogacar and the rest of the peloton fearing a serious crash. The Slovenian commended the organisers' decision to cancel the race.

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) praised race organisers after Tre Valli Varesine was halted, and then eventually cancelled, due to heavy rain on Tuesday.

The race, a traditional warm-up for the late-season Monument Il Lombardia, had already been shortened to 170km due to the adverse weather.

But after three circuits, the peloton - fronted by three-time Tour de France winner Pogacar in his new rainbow jersey - came to a standstill in Varese to speak with organisers about the conditions.

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After a discussion on the start line, the race was soon cancelled - with Pogacar pictured sharing a hug with chief race promoter Renzo Oldani.

"We tried to race and did a good race until we could. Then on the last lap, on the downhill, I was in second position behind [UAE team-mate Alessandro] Covi and we couldn't see where we were going," said Pogacar.

"Everybody wanted to stop. More broken wheels, more punctures were coming. It was just a matter of time until some guy would crash.

"Those are the worst crashes, when you lose the handlebars and go over the bike.

"It's not like when you slide on the asphalt and just get a few scratches if you're lucky. If you crash when you don't expect it and go over the handlebars with your head, we know how it is with concussion.

"I know a lot of friends from the peloton who had concussions. It's something we need to be more careful about in the peloton." 

Pogacar shares hug with race organiser after Tre Valli Varesine cancelled mid-race

Video credit: TNT Sports

Pogacar admitted it was a tough decision for the organisers to take, but said he was "really thankful for their understanding".

"We understand the organisers that they want to race but in the end all the riders made the right decision not to," he continued.

"We are sad for the race to not continue, but it's like this. When there's standing water, pedalling with shoes over the water, it's not good. 

"We talked with the organisers, luckily everybody was reasonable. I could see how heavy it was for the boss of the organisation. There were some tears in the eyes. This race means a lot to them and it's a beautiful race, but when you can't race you can't. They understood that immediately. I'm really thankful for their understanding and happy that they decided that we finish."

Pogacar will look to continue his incredible season at Il Lombardia on Saturday - the fifth and final Momument of the season.

He has already won the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and World Championships road race in one of the greatest individual seasons in history.

Stream Il Lombardia on Saturday live on discovery+

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