At the Fortezza Medicea, Tadej Pogacar is preceded by the usual roar that erupts from the crowd cheering him on and, once the presentation ends, the walk to the exit becomes a continuous stop for selfies and photos. Tadej doesn't shy away, wearing the world champion's jersey and aiming to achieve the first record of his 2026: winning Strade Bianche for the fourth time after 2022, 2024 and 2025. No one has managed it yet.

«This is a beautiful race – explains Pogacar, 27 years old, at his seventh participation in Strade Bianche since 2019, when he made his professional debut: 30th at 8'04" from winner Alaphilippe - I couldn't wait to get back to racing, and it doesn't matter if I win, but someone from UAE: I'm sure it will be a splendid day for us. It was truly special that they dedicated a gravel sector to me (Colle Pinzuto, ed. note), there's a rock on the sides of the road (he calls it that way) and it's an honor for me, a great pleasure, I'm very happy and proud, because it brings back wonderful memories».

The gravel section is dedicated to those who win the race three times: the Monte Sante Marie stretch bears the name of Fabian Cancellara, the only one before Tadej to achieve a hat-trick.

Pogacar opens the season here at Strade Bianche just as he did in 2024: «This is a special race, but it's not unusual for me to race my first event of the year here. I'm eager to kick off the season, winter has been long, I've done extensive preparation and I'm excited to get back to racing. There's great adrenaline (he said it in Italian, ed. note) in me to start the season and see if the things I've done over winter have paid off. We at UAE will play as a team, it doesn't matter who wins. My rivals? You're asking me about Seixas? In every race I do there are opponents, but it doesn't change my perspective. Seixas has already shown how good he is, he has a bright future ahead. As for the gravel, I did a reconnaissance, I always do it, it was excellent training – Pogacar concludes - There's not much more to learn but it's always important to see the conditions of the gravel».

Without Wellens and Narvaez, who are injured, and Del Toro aside, American Kevin Vermaerke and Fleming Florian Vermeersch will be there to support him: «I'm confident they'll do great things, particularly Florian who is really flying».