Pogacar feels sorry for Van Aert, but already counts on Van der Poel and Evenepoel at World Championships after Canadian preview

"I've had a good break from cycling, and I can't wait to start again in Canada," the three-time Tour winner began in a communiqué on his team's site. ''It's a beautiful part of the world for cycling, and I keep good memories from two years ago." Indeed, Pogacar already won the GP Montréal once in 2022, when he beat Wout van Aert, among others, in a sprint of five.

"The level will be high as always, and so we will have to be at our best," the Slovenian all-rounder continued. "Whatever happens, I can be happy with what I have achieved this season. Everything else will be a bonus. My condition is good, and I'm focusing on enjoying and accomplishing the last part of the season well."

Pogi can count on the support of a strong squad in Canada. Igor Arrieta, Juan Ayuso, Finn Fisher-Black, Rafal Majka, Domen Novak, and Tim Wellens will join this year's Giro winner. Wellens already managed to win once in Canada: the now 33-year-old Belgian won the GP Montréal in 2015.

In conversation with the Italian La Gazzetta dello Sport the big winner from Klanec looked ahead to the upcoming World Championship in Zurich. After all, the Slovenian's impressive record still misses the famous rainbow jersey. Isn't that a little ridiculous? "Yes, and as Slovenia, we have never really shone at the World Championships. That's certainly no secret. I hope we can finally change that and win the gold," Pogacar sounded hopeful.

However, the same was true for grand tours: Slovenia had not won a single grand tour until 2019, and now the counter stands at nine. "Primoz Roglic and I have lost count by now," Pogacar stated jokingly. We are in a golden era of Slovenian cycling. There is a perfect spirit, and I am happy to be part of it. Let's hope we can add the World Championship!"

To add to that World Championship, the 25-year-old Slovenian must have a pretty good day on a difficult course. Well, difficult... "It's tough, but not too tough," states Pogacar. "Still, it's the riders who make the course. Last year, people were thinking about a sprint at the World Championships, but we were far from that. This year, there is a little more climbing for climbers than in 2023, but it is a punchy circuit for explosive riders. It also has some technical sections. All in all, perfect for a World Championship," the UAE star assessed.

When the Slovenian looks at the competition, two (actually three) names quickly come to mind. "If Mathieu van der Poel is in super good form, he can fight for it, surprise and win. I'm sure Wout van Aert could have "flown" on a course like this, but unfortunately, he's not here. And Remco (Evenepoel, ed.) is a versatile rider like me who can win on any terrain."

And the latter, he didn't fight it out with that many times in a big one-day race. "That's true. Maybe he is a bit ahead of me in big one-day races. For now, then. I can turn that situation around this year," Pogacar concluded, confident.