Matteo Trentin: Pogacar has shown he is a worthy champion at Tour de France 2022

The Tour de France 2022. Where do we even begin? The pinnacle of global cycling has lived up to expectation and more. The excitement and drama is unlike any event that I can remember in recent years, and something that I feel incredibly privileged to be able to witness first-hand.

Our team’s performance so far has been strong. The guys rode incredibly well through the first two weeks, encountering success, challenges, and unexpected incidents along the way. We have shown togetherness and team spirit as we enter the final stages through the Pyrenees and into Paris.

I couldn’t be prouder of the fight and determination we have shown for each other, as a group of riders and wider team, attacking each stage and giving our best, no matter the situation and hurdles we have had to overcome.

Professional sport can create the highest of highs and lowest of lows. It’s the nature of the beast. To my dismay, I fell foul to Covid-19 just before the start of stage one, and that was the end of my Tour de France. It was a really difficult moment for me.

The training, the commitment, the discipline, the countless hours that have gone into ensuring I was in the best possible shape for the biggest cycling event on the planet – and I didn’t make it on to the start line. It still hurts, knowing you’re not able to be out there doing what you love most and helping my teammates in the most challenging and critical stages of the race.

These two are on another level