Philipsen on Pogacar:
https://sporza.be/nl/2019/05/20/philipsen-over-pogacar/
Google Translated:
Philipsen: "Pogacar has the qualities to win a GT someday"
The Slovenian super talent Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) crowned itself as the youngest ever winner of a stage race in the WorldTour last weekend. "Unlike other classification men, he is not afraid of a peloton," says Pogacar's teammate Jasper Philipsen.
Philipsen: "It all just happens with him"
The name Tadej Pogacar probably caused few bells to ring at the start of the season. 20-year-old Slovenian has only been in the WorldTour since this year, but came in at the big gate.
Pogacar won the Tour of the Algarve, became 6th in the Tour of the Basque Country and won the Tour of California last weekend. With its 20 springs, it is thus the youngest ever winner of a stage race in the WorldTour.
"I was not completely surprised by his performance," says Jasper Philipsen about his teammate at UAE. "I knew that Pogi (that's what we call him in the team) had a lot to offer. But that he finishes in such a way is very clever."
"No one will deny that Tadej is a super talent. What he has already shown this season is quite unseen. It is all just happening to him, it is incredible."
"He surprised me the first time in the Tour of the Algarve, where he won the overall victory. In the Tour of California he surprised me again. Pogi has already had a pretty tough spring, but he consumes those many races good."
"If he lives for it, he can someday win a GT"
Philipsen is particularly impressed by his ability to climb. "Pogacar can kick his pedals enormously hard for a long time. Unlike other classification men, he is not afraid of a peloton either. Pogacar is able to pull his plan well, so we don't have to guide him quickly through the peloton."
"Many good youth riders who make the switch to the pros often need some time to adjust. But Pogacar is one of those who are immediately there. You need a lot of talent for that. That the coaching within the team is very good, will also play a role. "
Is Pogacar a future winner of the Tour, Giro or Vuelta? "He certainly has the qualities to win a big round. If he stays there for life and work like this, then that is certainly possible."
"Pogacar will certainly not start to float. He is a normal, cool and down-to-earth guy."
Philipsen: "If I maintain condition, results will follow"
Jasper Philipsen himself was also in the spotlight last week during the Tour of California. "I have been close to a stage victory a few times," says our young countryman. "But I can't blame myself much."
"If I can maintain this condition, the results will follow. My next appointments are the Hammer Series and the Tour of Limburg. After that there are also a few one-day courses in Belgium on the program such as Across the Hageland, the Heist Arrow and the Eleven Cities Round .