Tadei Pogachar, still looking a bit tired 24 hours after his 50km solo win on the gravel road and steep climb at Stradhe Bianche, won the Tirreno-Adriatico, making it clear that he will continue his amazing run in 2022.

Remco Evenpole (Quick Step - Alphavinyl), Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo - Visma), Tibor Pino (Groupama - FDJ), Enric Mas (Movistar), Rigoberto Uran (EF Education - Easy Post), Tao Pogachar is in great shape while rivals such as Geohegan Hart and Richard Kalapas (Ineos Grenadiers) will probably start Tirreno-Adriatico fresher and more rested.

"I'm very tired. I only rode the bike for an hour today, but I think I will be better on Monday," Pogachar said.

"I went deep in the last hour and a half of Strade Bianche and had a crash. But today was tough as always because it was the day after the race. But it was a good day and I'll recover for the start of the Tirreno-Adriatico."

Pogachar's solo victory is up there with his win at La Planche des Belle Fils in 2020, when he took the Tour de France victory from Primoš Roglic, and his victories at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Ile Lombardia in 2021, on the list of great victories. added to the list.

Eddy Merckx called Pogachar a campionissimo and again acknowledged his potential to become "the next Merckx."

"I understand what it means to be called Campionissimo and I must thank Eddie for saying so," Pogachar said modestly.

"I am honored. It's hard to say what to say about Eddy Merckx being some sort of fan. I'm very happy and proud."

"I'm very happy and proud.

Merckx will no doubt be cheering for Pogachar, who will face Remco Evenpoel at the Tirreno Adriatico.

Merckx is not a fan of the same Belgian, but Pogachar is a sportsman and is curious about his young but ambitious rival.

"Merckx will be fast in the time trial and I don't know what will happen on the big climbs. Pogachar said of the expected showdown between the two, "We don't know how good he is yet, but so far he has been doing well."

Pogachar knows that fatigue from his victory at Strade Bianche could cost him a few seconds of time, but he also knows that the daily time bonus battles and the mountain stage at Monte Carpagna on Saturday are important.

"In a race like Tirreno, you have to focus every day. Every day something can happen. I'm not going to say that the race will be decided on stage 6, because it's not.

"We also need to do our best in the 14km time trial. We need to be fast so we don't lose out to the other GC contenders."

"If I can get close to them, that's all I need, a 10 to 20 second gap would be good. It's better to be in front, and if you are behind, you need to push aggressively to reduce the time. But sometimes that's a good thing."