Tadej Pogačar Targets Historic Giro-Tour Double and World Championships Glory in 2024
Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian sensation and one of the most dominant cyclists of his generation, has set his sights on an audacious goal for 2024: winning the prestigious Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double while also contending for the UCI Road World Championships. This ambitious plan, which pushes the limits of what even the most elite cyclists have achieved in modern times, cements Pogačar’s reputation as a rider who continuously seeks new challenges and refuses to settle for past victories.
Winning both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the same season is considered one of the toughest challenges in professional cycling. The feat requires not only immense physical strength but also precise tactical planning, recovery, and adaptability to different race conditions. Only a select few riders in the history of the sport have managed to accomplish this—most recently Marco Pantani in 1998.
Pogačar, a two-time Tour de France champion (2020, 2021), enters 2024 in prime physical condition, buoyed by his tremendous consistency across all major races. His last two seasons have been defined by thrilling rivalries, notably with Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, who defeated him in the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Tour. Despite these setbacks, Pogačar’s resilience and drive to keep pushing boundaries make him a legitimate contender for both Grand Tours.
The Giro d’Italia is a race that has long been on Pogačar’s radar. The Giro represents a special kind of allure for many top cyclists—its unpredictable weather, grueling mountain stages, and fervent fan base make it a unique challenge compared to the Tour. For Pogačar, a Slovenian rider, it also offers an opportunity to ride through his home region, further connecting with fans who have seen him rise to international stardom.
Given his attacking style, Pogačar is perfectly suited for the brutal ascents of the Giro, including the likes of the Stelvio Pass and Mortirolo. If he can emerge victorious in the Giro, it would mark his first title in the event, completing another significant milestone in his already storied career.
Attempting the Giro-Tour double demands meticulous planning and resource management from both Pogačar and his UAE Team Emirates squad. The two races take place close to each other, with the Giro typically in May and the Tour in July. The physical toll of winning one of these Grand Tours is already immense, but trying to peak for both within such a short timeframe makes the task exponentially harder.
To give himself the best chance, Pogačar and his team will likely take a strategic approach to the early season, carefully balancing form and fitness. There is little room for error—Pogačar must time his peak perfectly to ensure he is fresh for the Giro and still strong enough to challenge for the Tour title weeks later.
His team’s depth will also play a critical role, as the UAE squad will need to divide its resources efficiently between both Grand Tours. Pogačar will require top domestiques capable of supporting him in the mountains, safeguarding his overall position, and providing the necessary tactical backing to outmaneuver rivals like Vingegaard and Primož Roglič.
As if the Giro-Tour double weren’t a significant enough challenge, Pogačar has also set his sights on the UCI Road World Championships in 2024. The World Championships hold immense prestige, as the rainbow jersey is one of the most coveted symbols of excellence in cycling. Winning this title would mark a defining moment in Pogačar’s career and establish him as one of the sport’s true all-rounders.
The 2024 World Championships course will likely be suited to Pogačar’s abilities. Known for his punchy attacks on short, steep climbs, Pogačar will relish a course that features a blend of challenging terrain and opportunities to showcase his explosive power. As a versatile rider capable of both time trials and hilly classics-style races, Pogačar will aim to add this title to his growing list of achievements.
For Pogačar, the road to the rainbow jersey will involve fierce competition from other riders at the peak of their form. Mathieu van der Poel, Wout Van Aert, and Remco Evenepoel—each a formidable contender in their own right—are expected to mount serious challenges. However, Pogačar’s tactical nous, coupled with his relentless attacking mindset, gives him a fighting chance.
Pogačar’s pursuit of the Giro-Tour double and World Championships comes on the back of an eventful couple of seasons that saw both triumph and heartbreak. In 2022 and 2023, he suffered defeat in the Tour de France at the hands of Jonas Vingegaard, whose mastery of the high mountains and time trials proved decisive. However, Pogačar bounced back with dominant performances in the classics, taking victories at Il Lombardia, Strade Bianche, and the Tour of Flanders.
These wins demonstrated Pogačar’s remarkable versatility, as few riders can excel in both Grand Tours and one-day classics. His defeats in the Tour, however, have taught him valuable lessons about pacing, recovery, and team tactics, which will be crucial as he seeks to conquer both the Giro and the Tour in 2024.
The biggest obstacle for Pogačar in 2024 will undoubtedly be balancing his form and avoiding fatigue. The sheer physical demand of two Grand Tours in such close proximity could lead to burnout or injury, potentially derailing his season. Additionally, he will face stiff competition from the likes of Vingegaard and Roglič in the Tour, both of whom will be aiming for their own slice of cycling history.
Moreover, the pressure of juggling the Giro, the Tour, and the World Championships places immense strain not just on Pogačar but on his entire team. UAE Team Emirates will need to be flawless in their support, ensuring that Pogačar remains in peak condition through a grueling calendar.
If Tadej Pogačar succeeds in his quest to win both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, along with the World Championships, it would mark one of the most remarkable achievements in modern cycling. Few riders possess the versatility, endurance, and sheer competitive spirit required to excel across such diverse events in a single season. Pogačar’s pursuit of these lofty goals speaks to his relentless ambition and desire to push the limits of what is possible in the sport.
As the 2024 season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Slovenian superstar as he embarks on a journey that could further solidify his status as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.
