Pogacar proves child-friendly and superhuman cyclist, but also struggles (even rolling his eyes) with one thing about the Giro

Pogacar, who didn't exactly take it easy rolling into Rome but instead did a lead-out for teammate Juan Sebastián Molano, was understandably relieved at the finish. The Trofeo Senza Fine had been figuratively his for some time, but finally holding the trophy aloft in front of the Colosseum felt truly liberating. "I'm speechless," the usually spontaneous Pogacar began his first post-race interview. "I can't really put this victory into words right now. It feels really great to have won the Giro."

The fact that UAE-Team Emirates pushed hard in the final stage, with Pogacar doing a serious lead-out (just like on day nine) was planned in advance. No team photo, no relaxed cycling to the finish, arm in arm. "We wanted to be at the front because it's a fairly technical finish on this circuit. So in the last laps, we constantly rode at the front, which the boys did very well. In the end, the legs weren't good enough for a win here, but that's how it is: we can't win everything, of course."

With six stage victories, Pogacar was the standout star of this Tour of Italy. It all started on day two to Oropa, earning him the pink jersey, which he never relinquished until Rome, highlighted by his impressive time trial victory on day seven in Perugia, the next day's dominant uphill sprint win, and the decisive move to Livigno on the final day of the second week. In the third week, Pogacar added two more stage wins.

"I have many beautiful memories of this Giro d'Italia. For now, I can't choose. It was more the entire experience. Maybe I'll be able to pick a favorite memory in a while, but I just enjoyed this entire Tour of Italy. The pink jersey is obviously very special. I really enjoyed the fans. It was a crazy Giro d'Italia," he said in the mixed zone, full of praise about the grand tour he just won, at just 25 years young.

At the press conference, he expressed similar sentiments. "Today is not yet the day to let it sink in. After a week's rest at home, that will happen. The atmosphere was incredible, with many Slovenian fans. The course was very cool, and the organization was very good. I enjoyed the race with the guys and the team. A great experience. I might come back, but let's first see how the rest of the season goes and what impact that will have on my future choices. It was a beautiful race, and I might do it again."

Because everything seemed to go so smoothly, Pogacar made headlines during the three weeks of racing by giving away bottles and sunglasses to children. He also gifted Giulio Pellizzari a pink jersey on day sixteen. "There were beautiful moments this Giro, especially with the children. I'm happy with the many Pogi Team shirts and the many children who come to support us and love cycling. I'm happy and proud of how my parents raised me in this regard, and I'm grateful to them. I try to give something back in the way I behave."

His smile almost never left his face these last few weeks, but even Pogacar had his limits. On the podium, in the mixed zone, and at press conferences, the Giro is conducted in a very Italian way: long waits, many journalists, and everyone getting their turn. Pogacar had already been critical of this earlier in the Giro and now, on Sunday evening, couldn't hide the fact that he was pretty done with it. "I'll be very happy when it's all over. This is the last push with all the peripherals, but in three days everything will be perfect. I'm mainly just so tired now."

"Next question," says the Giro press officer. Pogacar rolls his eyes – not another one! His face seems to light up when IDLProCycling.com asks him about the completely new experience of this Giro, a race he has never done before. "Every race is a new experience and of course you grow as a person. After this Giro, I'll see how I feel. I'm going to relax and then build up to the Tour with these legs. I hope to improve a bit more, but we'll see how my form is when I start again."

"As a rider, I felt super strong with this new approach," he points out to this website about his preparation, which included only ten racing days. "Three weeks on the bike is long, but I felt comfortable and was where I needed to be. I got a lot of satisfaction from this race in terms of performance and how I felt on the bike. I really think I'm on schedule for the next part of this season, but that will become apparent after a period of rest."