Being Tour de France favourite is an honour, says Pogacar

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Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar stands on stage during welcome ceremony in Ljubljana, Slovenia, July 24, 2024. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic/File Photo

LILLE, France - Reigning champion Tadej Pogacar is pleased to be the man to beat in the Tour de France, which starts in Lille on Saturday, the Slovenian said on Thursday.

The 26-year-old world champion is looking for a fourth Tour de France victory after he triumphed in 2020, 2021 and 2024.

Its been a great season, so far perfect. And going here to the Tour as one of the favourites, its an honour, Pogacar told a press conference on Thursday. Im pleased and I hope I can live up to the expectations.

Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, winner of the Tour in 2022 and 2023, is expected to be Pogacar’s strongest rival over the three weeks of racing

The last five years were quite intense between me and Jonas, Pogacar said. Its great competition, rivalry, and I think this year is more or less the same as the last couple of years. Im looking forward to racing against Jonas again. I think hes in great shape.

The UAE Team Emirates rider showcased his form last month by claiming three stage wins and overall victory at the Criterium du Dauphine, finishing 59 seconds ahead of Vingegaard.

Pogacar said the opening week posed many challenges.

As always, the first week of the Tour is one of the most intense, nervous weeks, he said. You can quite easily lose the Tour de France in the first 10 days until the first