Tadej Pogaczal has often been the underdog in races, but the Slovenian loves a fight, and there is nothing he loves more than defying the odds. No wonder he has the UCI Road World Championships in Australia as a major goal for the end of the 2022 season.

Pogachar was beaten by the combined forces of Jumbo Visma at the Tour de France in July, but he has recovered from that defeat and vowed to turn things around in 2023, resting up and returning to training for the world championships.

With Primoš Roglic and Matej Moholic sidelined, Pogachar will face the Belgian, Italian, French, and Australian teams almost single-handedly in the final laps of the road race in Wollongong. But he still dreams of the rainbow jersey and proved he can win a one-day race by defeating Wout Van Aert at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal last Sunday.

"I like one-day races because they are like gambling," Pogachar said in Canada.

"I'm still confident in the stage races, but one-day races are fun, interesting, and exciting. You never know what will happen on that day."

"After the Tour, the World Championships is my main goal. One-day races are always a bit tricky for me, but I'll give it my best."

Pogachar used his strength to join the race's decisive breakaway group in Montréal, riding to secure that breakaway and outpacing Van Aert in the uphill finish.

The race was first a tactical elimination race, then a drag race to the line. The World Championships could end in a similar fashion, with the short but steep climb up Mount Pleasant expected to affect selection in Wollongong.

Pogachar, like Van Aert, flew directly from Canada to Australia in business class. Unlike his rivals, however, he arrived quietly in Sydney, pushing his own bike from the arrivals hall without being swarmed by the Belgian cycling media.

Pogachar will rest, recover from jet lag, and compete in Sunday's time trial as a breakthrough before next Sunday's road race. He may not challenge Philippa Ganna or Remco Evenpole, but he won the time trial stage of the 2021 Tour de France and was faster than Philippa Ganna in the final time trial stage this year.

On Wednesday, Pogachar celebrates his 24th birthday and turns his attention to Sunday's road race.

The success of Pogačar, Roglic, and Mohoric this year has allowed Slovenia to pick a full team, but the team lacks its usual strength and Pogačar is the only leader.

He can count on the support of his UAE Team Emirates teammate Jan Polanci and Bahrain Victorious' Domen Novak and Jan Tratnik, but they are the only World Tour riders on the Slovenian team, Jaka Primojic of Hlinkow Advaliks Cyclang and David Parr of Adria Mobil are also on the team. Luka Mejek is also off the team, national champion Kristijan Koren has declined to participate, and Bahrain Victorious' Matevju Govekar will compete in the under-23 race.

"In other races I run with riders I have known for two or three seasons, but at least we have a team that supports me," Pogachar said, trying to find an advantage over his main national rivals and knowing that he has no problems with his internal competitors

"There could be a small breakaway group, there could be a small group sprint.

"I think there are a lot of riders, especially this year, who could win the World Championships. You need to keep your eyes wide open and look out for all your competitors, but also look out for yourself. That's what I plan to do."