Tadej Pogačar is dominating the 2024 Giro d’Italia , but there is always a reason for every attack and every victory. He is a cannibal but doesn’t just want to win for the sake of it or to embarrass his rivals, and there are emotions and reasons for everything he does. Pogačar’s fourth stage victory in this year’s Corsa Rosa at the Mottolino ski station above Livigno was very personal.
He pointed to the sky as he crossed the line and then raised his arms in celebration as he realised what he had done. He had gained a further three minutes on Geraint Thomas and Dani Martinez , extending his GC lead to six minutes but that was only a consequence of his actions and complimentary to his happiness. “I'm super happy to be here again and to win the Queen stage here in Livigno,” he said, his smile and satisfaction far greater than the fatigue of his effort as he recalled his personal memories of time spent training high in the Alps near the tax-free porto franco town near the border with Switzerland.
“I've been here a lot of times. Livigno is a special place for me. The first time was as a first junior.
We were in St Moritz for a training camp with the national team for 10 days, that was what we could afford: one house all together. We came here to Livigno with a broken old van for fuel because it's cheaper and to buy some food. That was my first time in Livigno and then I’ve come back almost every year.
“I also have one of the nicest memories of my life in Livi.