Smiling and available, ironic and playful, Tadej Pogacar yesterday played and danced, sang and signed autographs, but also talked, about what has been and what will be. He did so with Ciro Scognamiglio, in Gazzetta on sale this morning, in an interview that hasn't happened in a long time. Two full pages in the "pink" newspaper, packed with information. Here, we'll offer just an excerpt, inviting you to a more in-depth reading on the pages of Italy's most sold sports newspaper.

The interview begins with a curiosity: snow surprises the world number one cyclist in the Brescia area, but Alex Carera is not caught unprepared and asks for help from a friend of his and cycling, Beppe Martinelli, who brings rollers to the two-time world champion in a Coccaglio hotel so he doesn't miss his training session.

Where does he find the motivation to always start the season with enthusiasm? Scognamiglio asks him. "Well... I can't stay home on the couch doing nothing! I love cycling and racing, it's what I've been doing since I was 9 years old. Adrenaline is part of my lifestyle. But there's something that motivates me more than everything else," is his response.

Every year he improves, who has helped him the most at UAE to achieve this?

"Probably the new coach, Javier Sola, and nutritionist Gorka Prieto. With Javier, we talk every day, he's a great guide and the dialogue is perfect. As for Gorka, he's one of the hardest working people I've ever seen. He makes individual nutrition plans, all different, for 30 riders... In nutrition, we're now approaching perfection and until a few years ago it was hard for me to follow, but now I've understood how important it is. How much difference it can make in performance."

Let's play a game: at the end of his career, would he prefer to win the Tour six times or complete the list of successes by conquering the Vuelta, Milan-Sanremo, and Paris-Roubaix that are still missing?

"I always choose the greatest possible variety, even if the Tours were to be seven. Yes, the Tour is the biggest race, but in other events you must beat the best. Always. And therefore, in my eyes, they are on the same level."

The 2026 competitive schedule will be revealed in December: Tour and World Championships are certain, we already know. But is it legitimate to think he will also attempt Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix again? And the Giro d'Italia?

"Yes, it's no secret that I'll try to be in excellent form on those two occasions. They are objectives of mine and the team. As for the Giro, I might return sooner than one might think."