He started as a great favorite and did not disappoint, from the second stage in which he reached the lead until the finish line last Sunday in Rome, the Slovenian cyclist has shown that he is, without a doubt, the fittest cyclist of the 2024 season.
On the nearest horizon, the 2024 Tour de France awaits him, his main challenge for this 2024 season, but first we will review his six stage victories
Stage 2: Santuario di Oropa (Biella) - 05-05-2024
Near Biellla, Tadej Pogacar suffered a fall in a curve, that was no more important than expected and his team, with a luxury gregarious like Rafal Majka, began to tighten the pace, selecting the group with outstanding cyclists like Quintana and Alaphilippe staying behind. When there were only about 4 kilometers left to go, the explosive attack came that gave him his first victory and the maglia rosa. In his first victory the distance with his rivals was already 45 seconds.
Stage 7: Foligno -> Perugia – 05-10-2024
The first time trial of the Giro, an important distance for a grand tour (40 km), seemed like the right place for the Ineos Grenadiers rider, Filipo Ganna, to take the victory.
However, the final stretch of the stage was somewhat steeper and conducive for Tadej to achieve his second stage with a 17-second advantage over Ganna. The advantage with his pursuers, Daniel Martínez and Geraint Thomas, was getting dangerously close after 3 minutes.
Stage 8: Spoleto -> Prati di Tivo - 05-11-2024
The arrival at Prati di Tivo, a tough first-class mountain pass 14 km long, was done in a compact manner, with the favorites arriving together almost to the finish line, where the power of Pogacar gave them a new victory. The general classification did not change.
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Stage 15: Manerba del Garda -> Livigno (Mottolino) - 05-20-2024
Queen stage of the Giro d'Italia 2024, marked by everyone on the calendar, 220 km of suffering with 5 mountain passes, two first category in a chain and more than 5,000 meters of elevation gain.
As soon as it began, a breakaway formed with more than 50 men, many of them illustrious such as Alaphilippe, Quintana (Winner of the Giro in 2014), Narvaez or Valter Attila. He managed to obtain a considerable advantage, however, the work of the UAE team to wear down his rivals caused it to diminish.
In the final stretch, with the two final climbs to go (Foscagno and Mottolino). The escape fragments and a name appears fighting for victory and for personal compensation, Nairo Quintana. As it could not be otherwise, Pogacar attacked 15 kilometers from the end, Quintana was able to hold on at the first of the two climbs, however, he was hit. Pogacar achieved his fourth victory, no one could overshadow him. His advantage over his rivals was already well over six minutes.
Stage 16: Livigno -> Santa Cristina Valgardena/St. Christina in Gröden (Monte Pana) - 05-21-2024
A stage marked by extreme weather conditions, which led to a change in its route, shortening it and suspending the climb to several ports. After the inclement weather, it was possible to play with some normality. They tried a breakaway, with an always combative Julien Alaphilippe in the breakaway, they could do nothing against the push of the group of favorites.
With 1.3 kilometers to go, what everyone expected came, Pogacar's attack. One more victory, that's five. His rivals in the general standings were more than seven minutes away, a world away.
Stage 20: Alpago -> Bassano del Grappa -05-25-2024
Last mountain stage of the Giro, a new opportunity to win the crown.
The stage started as always, with a breakaway in the attempt to win the stage. With one of the revelation cyclists, the Spanish Pelayo Sánchez (Already winner of a stage in the 2024 Giro) and others like Janssens, Tonelli and Pellizzari, all looking to be luxury secondary roles in the film starring Pogacar.
Once again, the incombustible Majka put the breakaway in check, and with 36 kms to the goal Pogacar attacks and leaves everyone behind, now just pedaling for history. Behind them they only worry about maintaining their positions, nobody wants to lose a Giro podium on the last day.
The passion of the fans overflows and they even touch Tadej who protested angrily. Beyond that he took his sixth victory. His rivals, very far away, second place went to the Colombian Daniel Martínez, at 09:56 and the veteran winner of the Tour and second in the 2023 Giro, Geraint Thomas, at 10:24, completed the podium in Rome.