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Pogačar: If I decided, we wouldn't race in summer heat
🇸🇮 Slovenia /Sports

Pogačar: If I decided, we wouldn't race in summer heat

From Delo · () Slovenian

Translated from Slovenian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Slovenian cycling star Tadej Pogačar suggested a radical change to the cycling calendar, proposing no races in July and August due to extreme heat.
  • The Tour de France has been significantly impacted by temperatures between 35-40 degrees Celsius, leading to a shortened stage and logistical challenges for teams.
  • Pogačar praised his UAE Emirates-XRG team for their effective cooling strategies, while acknowledging the need for early starts if racing in extreme heat continues.

Tadej Pogačar, the world's top cyclist, has called for a major overhaul of the professional cycling calendar, specifically advocating for the elimination of races during the hottest months of July and August. Speaking after the ninth stage of the Tour de France, Pogačar stated that if he had the authority, he would completely restructure the schedule to avoid the peak summer heat.

The intense heat has become a dominant theme of this year's Tour. Stage nine was shortened by over 30 kilometers due to high temperatures and a red alert in the Corrèze department. Despite this, cyclists still raced during the hottest parts of the day, with temperatures consistently between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius since the race began. Teams face significant logistical hurdles in keeping riders and staff cool, not only during the day on the scorching roads but also at night in overheated hotels.

If I had the power to decide, I would completely change the cycling calendar and not race at all in July and August.

— Tadej PogačarThe Slovenian cycling star's proposal to avoid racing during the hottest summer months.

While some, like Australian rider Luke Durbridge, have suggested earlier stage starts, Pogačar believes this alone wouldn't solve the problem. He mused that even starting stages at 8 or 9 a.m. would require waking at 5 a.m., suggesting the body could adapt. However, he emphasized his preference for avoiding the heat altogether by not racing in July and August.

Pogačar also commended his UAE Emirates-XRG team for their excellent management of the heat. "Our team is doing an excellent job in this heat," he said. "We are cooling down very well and maintaining our body temperature, so I am very satisfied with how the race has gone so far." The Tour de France will have a rest day on Monday, followed by a challenging tenth stage on Tuesday, Bastille Day, with temperatures expected to remain above 30 degrees Celsius.

Our team is doing an excellent job in this heat. We are cooling down very well and maintaining our body temperature, so I am very satisfied with how the race has gone so far.

— Tadej PogačarPraising his team's efforts in managing the extreme temperatures during the Tour de France.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delo in Slovenian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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