Bokkar: ‘I’m in Australia for the rainbow jersey’

The Slovenian should win gold in the world championship road race

09/22/2022 | (rsn) – Tadej Pogacar expects something tough World Cup Road Race And in view of the track in Wollongong, Australia, he believes he has a good chance of winning the title. “There are many short climbs, but the course is also technical because of the many corners. It suits the attackers, so expect an interesting race. A small group may break out in the final. That will be in my favor,” said the gold medalist in an interview with the Slovenian cycling portal wielerflits.nl. Said about his ideal situation in the struggle.

Bocagar has declared this to be his biggest goal, especially since his last win At the Montreal GP Among others is the Wood Van Aert Pete, a favorite of many in Wollongong. “I’m in Australia because of the rainbow jersey,” the 24-year-old said confidently after arriving on the fifth continent.

Despite his many victories in difficult one-day races such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Il Lombardia or the Strade Bianche, Bocacar does not consider himself a specialist. “It’s true that I can do well in one-day races, but that’s not my terrain,” he added: “I do well in stage races with long climbs. But I like classics.

Attack too soon at Imola as a World Cup course

While that’s not enough for a top-ten finish in three World Cups so far, Bokar has shown it 2020 in Imola A memorable performance when he attacked on the last nine laps and put his opponents under pressure. However, he eventually caught up again and finished 33rd. “It’s true that I attacked early at Imola. I was expecting a few more riders to jump in with me. As no one responded to my attack, I drove on anyway. “In the World Cup, you only have one arrow in your quiver,” Bokar said in retrospect.

In the 2020 Road World Championship at Imola, Dadej Bokar attacked on the last lap – and was finally caught again. | Photo: Cor Vos

The Slovenian captain has learned from this mistake and now wants to reach the rainbow jersey on Sunday. However, he is backed by only five assistants instead of the maximum of seven, allowing the Frenchman to compete with nine drivers due to current champion Julien Alaphilippe’s individual starting rights.

“We don’t have a strong team like some countries like Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and France (sic) who start with eight men. “However, we have a strong team and I don’t think that (only six riders) is a disadvantage,” said Bocagar, who finished sixth in the individual time trial, but was optimistic. With all competitors Can be registered.