Tadej Pogacar is doing well and at yesterday's press conference he wanted to reassure everyone about his health, even though mentally he found himself a bit challenged in the moments following the fall. "Certainly there were some moments of panic in my head: I thought about everything, the bike, the clock, my body and whether I was okay. There were many thoughts, but in my mind there was always the desire and conviction to continue because we had worked hard for this race and I knew I had to go on".

After the incident, Pogacar managed to catch up with Pidcock and they exchanged a few words while heading towards the finish line. "I apologized because there had been a mistake on my part. It could have ended really badly for everyone in the leading group, I could have even caused Tom to fall, so yes, it was my fault and I apologized and he asked me if I was okay and then we continued. Anyway, I feel like a lucky guy because I could have been seriously hurt".

When he noticed Pogacar's fall, Pidcock decided to wait for him: an important gesture that allowed the two riders to compete alone for the victory.

"I don't know exactly when Tom decided to wait for me, but for sure at the top when I approached and he waited for me, there was still a long way to go, perhaps he thought it would be better to continue together. But we didn't discuss it, but I'm sure he has a lot of respect for me and I have respect for him, and he's a great class rider".

Strade Bianche is a race that many would like to see as the sixth Monument Classic. "I'm not the right person to judge whether Strade Bianche should become the sixth Monument Classic. Every year I'm asked this question, but truly I'm not the right person to give an answer".

Tom Pidcock probably made the race harder and at the same time motivated Tadej Pogacar to push even further, and the result was a tough and exciting race. "Perhaps last year I was more relaxed. Yesterday I raced knowing that behind me was the mountain bike world champion and Olympic champion and cyclocross world champion, so it's also normal to feel under pressure".

Pogacar had specific plans, but the fall forced him to change his strategy, but the victory still came. "Initially I wanted to attack on Colle Pinzuto, but the incident forced me to change my program. I just hoped the fall wouldn't take too much energy from me and fortunately I didn't break anything and only got a few abrasions. I was really lucky, because in falls like this you risk seriously hurting yourself. Perhaps 'lucky' could be my new nickname".