Pogačar’s words after his victory at the European Championships: “It was better to attack rather than…”

The continent changes, but the results don’t: Tadej Pogačar also wins the European Championship in France, just seven days after his triumph at the World Championships in Kigali. Unfortunately, however, the Slovenian will no longer wear the European champion’s jersey after today’s podium ceremony, since the world champion’s rainbow jersey takes precedence.

In theory, a long-range attack wasn’t part of the Slovenian’s race plan — or at least, that’s what had been suggested. However, Pogačar admitted that he changed his strategy during the race, given the situation in the group, with many Belgians and no teammates left. At that point, Tadej launched the decisive attack, dropping everyone and crossing the finish line solo after a 75-kilometre breakaway.

Here are his words after the finish, as reported by Domestique:

ON THE RACE – “I found myself in the front and tried to maintain a good gap of around one minute. I know it’s a comfortable gap, but I don’t think it was something super dominant. Remco was very strong and always chasing me. I couldn’t ease up until the finish line, I had to push really, really hard. I’m happy it’s over and that another title has come.

Obviously, we knew the race would be toughest on the third climb, but Belgium started attacking already on the second lap and I began to lose some teammates. Domen [Novak] and Matej [Mohorič] were still going really strong to keep everything together, but then on the third lap I saw there were four or five Belgians and I was alone, so it was better to attack rather than stay with too many riders who could attack you.”

ON FUTURE GOALS – “Every year I want to be a better version of myself, try to gain more experience, and race in different events. I’m lucky enough to be able to win all these kinds of races, and I have to enjoy it as long as I can.”

ON THE 2026 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP IN SLOVENIA – “It’s a great honour to have such an important race in your home country.”

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