Why is Pogacar riding the Giro?

[saunaking]

RCS is paying him $$$$$$$$
why isn't this listed?

 

[Kaptain Kool]

Don't think "scared" is the right term. But when you get beaten again and again in the world's biggest race, it's human nature to lack the courage to try again. Nothing to be ashamed of. The fact is deep down inside we're all cowards anyway.

 

[Savant12]

Because he is the next Merckx and wants to win everything.

 

[tobydawq]

Because he is the next Merckx and wants to win everything.

Or is it Merckx who was the first Pogacar?

 

[tobydawq]

RCS is paying him $$$$$$$$
why isn't this listed?

I think it would be euros instead of dollars.

 

[Savant12]

Or is it Merckx who was the first Pogacar?

"The Blond Cannibal".

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

I think he simply wants to win the Giro.
Most likely without Vingegaard he'd have planned to ride it last year.
Right decision too, no point int postponing and postponing something, try to get it when you're at your best. Nobody knows where Pogacar will be in 3 years...

 

[Elos Anjos]

All of the above.
But people are forgetting that behind his baby face and kid persona lies a very solid, pure ambition.
Pogacar wants to win a GT and the WC in the same season and firm his grip on the legendary status of his palmares (which already is...already it lacks a Gran Camiño ).

 

[The Clogger]

Pogacar wants the money and the route is super easy and suitable. If he gets to win the Giro with a few good ITTs and a couple of mountain sprints, the Giro will just be good training towards Tour de France. Which is very likely considering the competition... At the tour he will be at his best level yet, but still losing le maillot jaune on the last day of the Tour de France. Tears will flood CN forum.

 

[AmRacer]

All of the above.
But people are forgetting that behind his baby face and kid persona lies a very solid, pure ambition.
Pogacar wants to win a GT and the WC in the same season and firm his grip on the legendary status of his palmares (which already is...already it lacks a Gran Camiño ).

And one Clásica de San Sebastián.

 

[Berniece]

Most people are just overthinking it. He does whatever he wants to do. He doesn't want every season to be the same. He just wants to change things up. He's got more than enough time to do a season where the only goal is TDF, like Vingegaard does now.

 

[Netserk]

Most people are just overthinking it. He does whatever he wants to do. He doesn't want every season to be the same. He just wants to change things up. He's got more than enough time to do a season where the only goal is TDF, like Vingegaard does now.

Some people are underthinking it.

 

[Berniece]

Some people are underthinking it.

Sure… Whatever fits your narrative, right?

 

[rallybanana]

Another missing option (not the main reason, but still):
-He saw how much love and support from Slovenian fans Roglič got in the last Giro (or any Slovenian when the Giro passed near Slovenia in recent years) and would like some of that as well, or maybe it would be better put as allowing the Slovenian fans to share and enjoy in his success as well. He couldn't do this any year Roglič would also be racing the Giro, so this year is great chance to give it a try from this perspective also.

I would vote for this reason if it was in the poll. Winning the Giro on Monte Grappa in front of 3 million Slovenian fans is probably his big dream.

 

[ppanther92]

Hedging and other - with other being a small but not inexistent chance at an absolutely legendary season.

 

[RedheadDane]

He's riding, and I'm sure it's gonna be fun!

 

[iBanesto]

He wants to follow his idol Jai Hindley as Giro d'Italia winner.

 

[proffate]

☑ He values the Giro/Tour double more than another tour for his palmares.

Also I did cast a vote for "hedging" but it's less than he thinks he can't beat Vingegaard and more that he accepts that he might not beat Vingegaard.

 

[Leinster]

Poll is missing a “Because he’s Pogacar and there’s nothing he can’t win” option.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Pogacar is in a select group of two with MVDP that can more less ride any race they want to.

 

[kn0s]

Pogacar is in a select group of two with MVDP that can more less ride any race they want to.

Not sure this makes sense. I'm not seeing it anyway.

 

[Anderis]

He would have gone 3 years without winning a GT had he been beaten by Vingegaard during TdF 2024, I think it's part of why he's decided to ride the Giro.

Though, had he won TdF 2023, it's still possible he would've decided to ride the Giro anyway because he gotta try it sooner or later.

 

[AmRacer]

Pogacar is in a select group of two with MVDP that can more less ride any race they want to.

MvdP can't ride for a GT GC.
Pog won't do so well in CX, but I might be wrong on that.

 

[Netserk]

Imagine the counter-factual where Vingegaard had a similar condition and incident after the Tour last year as Van Hooydonck had after the Tour of Britain. Vingegaard would not only end his season then, but announce before the season was over that he would retire permanently from the sport.

Would Pogi still ride the Giro this year then?

 

[Red Rick]

Imagine the counter-factual where Vingegaard had a similar condition and incident after the Tour last year as Van Hooydonck had after the Tour of Britain. Vingegaard would not only end his season then, but announce before the season was over that he would retire permanently from the sport.

Would Pogi still ride the Giro this year then?

Well, yeah. Or are you gonna tell me he'd be pooping his pants at Roglic?

If he's so afraid why isn't he doing Giro/Vuelta with the excuse of 'I wanna win them all'