"This was not the plan at all," says Pogacar after fourth stage win Catalonia: "Would have preferred if he had won"

Tadej Pogacar already had three, but added a fourth stage victory to his grand total in the Tour of Catalonia on Sunday. The Slovenian of UAE-Team Emirates rode more defensively than on other days, and that was the plan, he explains in the post-race flash interview.

"I'm very happy with this victory because this was not the plan at all," Pogi starts off his analysis from an surprising angle. "We wanted to go for Marc Soler, but he attacked on the first local lap on the climb. He did well, which meant I had to follow and stay at the front."

After Soler, João Almeida was the next to try for UAE-Team Emirates. "He set a nice pace on the final climb and attacked on the descent. He almost made it, I would have preferred if he had won. But I'm happy that I could still finish it off after that."

Pogacar gets confirmation leading up to grand tours

Talking to Eurosport after the race, Pogacar also comments on his current form and especially his path towards the goals ahead. "This whole week means a lot to me. I had a tough half year last season, after my crash in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. To start the season off like this is fantastic."

"This victory gives me a lot of confidence, and I see that my form is very good heading towards the Giro and the Tour de France," he continues. "I already got confirmation in Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo, but here we had to climb all week. I ride with a smile on my face every day and feel good during training. I'm very happy, and that's important."