Pogacar says rivalry with Vingegaard could go down 'in history' / Photo: Richard A. Brooks - AFP
-
Hong Kong unveils plan to align economy with China's goals
-
Bank of Japan set to raise rates under pressure from inflation, US
-
Brazilian voters the latest to eye Bukele security model with envy
-
Zverev, Shelton back on court for Davis Cup qualifiers
-
EU chief hosts Canada's Carney in push to 'deepen' alliance
-
Peace is a 'dangerous' word in Russian city heading to polls
-
EU chief to unveil social media, gaming curbs for under-15s
-
Meta chief pushes back on AI slowdown calls
-
Saudi says Houthis target Mecca, warn of 'red line'
-
'Resident Evil' film brings video game's ethos to the big screen
-
Asian stocks stutter as traders prepare for Fed decision
-
Court orders N. Korea pay Seoul $32.5 mn for blowing up office
-
US touts its power, avoids Iran war at G20 Energy meeting
-
US military buildup in Palau stirs war fears
-
Dead animals, barren fields, and hunger - El Nino chokes Central America
-
US Fed to deliver rate decision with markets betting on hike
-
In hydropowered Bhutan, solar starts to rise
-
Saudi, Egypt demand open Red Sea as Riyadh vows response to Houthi attacks
-
Brazil's Supreme Court clashes over handling of probe involving judge
-
Capitals say hockey star Ovechkin 'was asked' to film Putin ad
-
Trump threatens to keep Kennedy Center shut if his name not added
-
Spurs in 'tough moment' after League Cup exit as De Zerbi says sorry
-
i-payout Expands U.S. Money Transmitter Licensing Footprint and Advances European EMI Strategy
-
Arteta salutes 'unbelievable' Dowman after Arsenal's teen star sinks Ipswich
-
Artists exit Sheeran tour in solidarity with Macklemore pro-Palestinian comments
-
Empty seats as schools reopen in Venezuela's quake-hit Guaira
-
Espi saves Real Madrid with late winner at Elche
-
Messi set for Argentina farewell in Benin friendly
-
Liverpool pile on misery for Spurs in League Cup, Dowman dazzles for Arsenal
-
Ton-up Brook leads from the front as England hammer Sri Lanka in 1st T20
-
Trump blasts Supreme Court justices over 'horrible' mail vote ruling
-
AI giants pursue self-regulation as safety fears mount
-
Maduro ally pleads guilty to US money laundering charges
-
Argentina begin life after Messi with Bolivia friendly
-
Finnish president Stubb speaks to AFP about Trump, Russia and saunas
-
Helen Mirren delves into Patricia Highsmith's mind in 'A Talent for Murder'
-
Trump says Kennedy Center to close after judge bars name change
-
Sanders, Bannon warn of AI dangers in rare US left-right alignment
-
South Africa intensifies hunt after eight women found dead
-
US Senate crypto bill collapses amid partisan deadlock
-
'Battle of Chile' documentary-maker Patricio Guzman dies, aged 85
-
Raptors confirm Leonard return after Clippers salary cap scandal
-
Tuchel wanted to eat grass after England's World Cup win in Mexico
-
Empty benches as schools reopen in Venezuela's quake-hit Guaira
-
OpenAI, Anthropic and Google are working to create an AI standards body
-
US judge rules Trump's name must remain off Kennedy Center
-
Lens sack Toppmoeller after six games in charge
-
Samson fires India to T20 series win over Afghanistan
-
Rob Reiner son will not face death penalty, prosecutor says
-
Carney sells Canada to global investors but says US ties still key
Pogacar says rivalry with Vingegaard could go down 'in history'
Tadej Pogacar said Saturday that his Tour de France rivalry with Jonas Vingegaard could grow into something for "the history books", with the pair sharing the last four titles between them.
Denmark's Vingegaard has won the race for the past two years, with Slovenian Pogacar claiming the title in both 2020 and 2021.
Pogacar finished as runner-up for both of Vingegaard's victories and he is looking forward to locking horns with his rival for years to come.
"Our rivalry is more based on Tour de France only, but I think in the future we will meet in the other races as well and have a rivalry that will go in the history books," Pogacar said in Japan, where he is preparing to race in Sunday's Saitama Criterium.
"I'm really happy to have such a rival against me, we have great respect for each other.
"We are good for a show for the next couple of years," he added.
Pogacar has had an eventful year, returning from a fractured wrist to compete at the Tour de France, and becoming just the third man to win Il Lombardia three years in a row.
He also claimed the honours in Paris-Nice, the Fleche Wallonne, the Tour of Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race.
The 25-year-old said he had enjoyed "one of the most incredible seasons" but set his sights on reclaiming the Tour de France title next year.
"I'm pretty confident every year but there are so many things that can go wrong or can go right," he said.
"You just need to keep faith and never give up because we all work super-hard.
"We all know that we can win it and we just need to fight and fight and play the games and try to win."
Pogacar will headline a Saitama Criterium field that also includes former Tour de France winners Chris Froome and Egan Bernal, and Vuelta a Espana champion Sepp Kuss.
Slovakia's Peter Sagan, who is retiring from road racing to return to mountain biking next year, will also compete.
Sagan believes Pogacar and Vingegaard's rivalry can illuminate the Tour de France for years to come.
"Definitely, the last two, three years we saw that Jonas and Tadej are very strong," said the 33-year-old.
"In the future, it's always going to be a nice battle to see in the Tour de France."
P.Queiroz--PC