PARIS —  A week after romping to the world title, cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar expects a closer fight at the European road race championships in France on Sunday, with rivals Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel looming.

The Slovenian said he liked the look of the hilly course in the Drome and Ardeche departments—known for lavender fields and stunning gorges—and was especially motivated to be competing alongside his girlfriend Urska Zigart, who races in the women’s event on Saturday.

Pogacar famously pulled out of last year’s Paris Olympic Games—citing extreme fatigue—after Slovenia overlooked Zigart for their women’s team despite the fact that she was the reigning road race and time trial national champion.

But this time, he is delighted to have her by his side.

“We share the trip, the room, the time, I really appreciate these moments with Urska,” Pogacar said.

“Being with the Slovenian team is nice too. It’s a good team, I’m looking forward to racing with them, I haven’t had much chance in recent years,” he said.

The 27-year-old admitted that winning the Europeans was “not the target of anyone in their career goals” amid a packed calendar, but that he liked the course in this edition.