With "positive anger" (and help from Del Toro?), Pogacar still the top favorite: "I’ll try to settle the score"

In an interview with RTV SLO, Hauptman attempts to put Pogacar's fourth-place finish in the time trial into perspective. “We are all a bit spoiled, our top riders have spoiled us so much that only victory counts,” says the world champion's compatriot. "We have become a superpower; we are all motivated to win, but we must be aware that fourth place is a top result."

Of course, Pogi wanted to win, but he was entering Remco Evenepoel's territory. "Tadej is the most all-round cyclist, but he is not a time trial specialist. He has won a few in stage races, but by then, all the specialists are already a bit tired. Tadej went to the World Championships for the gold medal; a champion like him goes into every race to win."

Additionally, Pogacar did not have the ideal preparation, as he fell ill two weeks prior. "It's difficult to prepare for a road race and a time trial at the same time, and he was also ill 14 days before the championship. Of course, this is no excuse; if you show up at the start, it means you're ready."

Evenepoel even managed to overtake the Slovenian on the course in Kigali. "We must also be aware that Remco has been by far the best time trialist in the world in recent years. He gave up on the Tour de France and aimed to salvage his season with excellent performances at the World Championships. I can only congratulate him on a truly exceptional performance."

Hauptman does not doubt that Pogacar will return one day to win gold in the time trial. “I strongly believe that he will win the time trial one day. This is a demanding discipline; if you don't have your best day on race day, you don't stand a chance. The season is extremely long; everything has gone perfectly, and he has been winning since February. It's hard to expect that you will perform at the highest level all year round.”

Last Sunday's slip-up will only work in the defending champion's favor, according to his compatriot. “The way I see it, Tadej immediately uses everything to his advantage, and I firmly believe that he will channel this ‘positive anger’ into Sunday's race. If the opportunity arises, he will immediately try to settle the score on Sunday.”

However, it will not be easy in the road race, because everyone will still be watching Pogacar. “The entire cycling world will certainly be racing against the Slovenian national team, because they are well aware that we have the best cyclist in the world. I am sure it will not be easy for us,” said Hauptman.

One advantage could be the UAE connections in the pack. Last year, Pogacar had help from Pavel Sivakov in his quest for gold. “If common interests emerge at the end or during the race itself, it's much easier to do that with someone you know well. However, I think the focus is not on the team, but on mutual interest.”

In the final, Pogacar could well find a helpful partner in Isaac Del Toro. "If Tadej Pogacar and Isaac del Toro are in the final on Sunday, it will probably be in their mutual interest to catch up with the breakaway riders ahead of them or to escape together, and then they will decide between themselves who will become world champion. In that case, there will be no more friendship, because both will want to win."