MEN | TADEJ POGAČAR
You’ ve often said that you love the Classics. But what do you like about racing for an objective that demands three weeks like the Tour? One-day races are incredible. I love their intensity and the fact that everything’ s condensed into a few hours, sometimes even a few minutes. But on the Tour it’ s very different. You have to be consistent, intelligent and ready every day. It’ s a different kind of challenge, but when everything falls into place, it’ s also very satisfying. You also derive pleasure from it.
The public love your rivalry with Jonas Vingegaard. For the sake of the race’ s spectacle, would you prefer a closer battle this year than we saw last summer? I’ m a competitor and Jonas is one of the strongest riders I’ ve ever faced. He pushes me to improve. When it’ s a proper battle, the race is exciting for everyone, me included. But I prefer to have as big a gap as possible. I think that’ s a truth that can be applied to any rider at the top of an overall classification, whatever the race.
Your mother is a French teacher and you live in Monaco. How would you rate your command of the language? And how would you describe the French spirit, now that you know the country? My French isn’ t very good. I can understand a little of what people say, but I still need to practise speaking it. As for the French people … They’ re passionate and they show it. That energy, especially on the climbs, lifts your spirits. France really comes alive for the Tour. I’ m delighted to be taking part in it once again this July. ●
KING OF SPRING
In nearly every spring race he entered, Tadej Pogačar was head and shoulders above the rest. The Slovenian claimed victories at Strade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and also made the podium at Milan-San Remo, Paris- Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race.
With such a haul of honours, this was not only Pogačar’ s most successful spring ever, but his 1500 points in the King of Spring ranking also set a new record. The previous points record( 1434) was held by Greg Van Avermaet, who set the mark in 2017 with victories in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix.
Pogačar’ s stirling results have also seen him continue to climb up the list of all-time Monument victories. He now sits at nine, drawing level with legends like Costante Girardengo, Fausto Coppi and Sean Kelly. Only Eddy Merckx( 19) and Roger De Vlaeminck( 11) have more wins.
Wearing his world champion rainbow stripes, Pogačar won at Strade Bianche( top) and Liège-
Bastogne – Liège this year
PHOTOGRAPHS: BILLY CEUSTERS / ASO, GETTY IMAGES
20 | TOUR DE FRANCE 2025