Tadej Pogacar will not do a Grand Tour double-up in 2023, says UAE Team Emirates' Joxean Fernandez Matxin

Tadej Pogacar will not be doing a Grand Tour double-up in 2023, according to his UAE team manager Joxean Fernandez Matxin. Pogacar, a two-time Tour de France champion at just 24, put in a huge effort at this year's Tour to try and wrestle the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo-Visma), but ultimately in vain. Ad As such, the Slovenian was pulled from the start line of the Vuelta a Espana, and looking ahead to next year, the UAE bosses are once again wary of over-exerting their star rider and detracting from his sole focus of regaining the Tour crown.

Tour de France'It could be my last year' — Thomas hints at retirement, may skip Tour de France11 HOURS AGO Speaking to Slovenian outlet Siol, Fernandez Matxin said: “The Tour de France is the priority. “Next year’s Giro ends just about three weeks before the start of the Tour. Competing in two such races in such a short space of time is a big thing.

“My opinion is that at his age, at 24, two grand tours a year is not appropriate. 'It could be my last year' — Thomas hints at retirement, may skip Tour de France Ferrand-Prevot becomes Ineos' first female rider “If the gap between the Giro and the Tour was five or six weeks, it would be a possibility, but three weeks is too short, it’s complicated. It’s not impossible, but it would have consequences in the future.

“I have a program in my head for all cyclists. I spoke with Tadej and I have an idea. “It is important to make the best calendar for all riders to achieve as much as possible.