MEN | TADEJ POGAČAR
While a fifth overall victory would cement this decade as the“ Pogačar era”, the Slovenian can’ t suppress a slight smile when this is put to him, as he refuses to be seen as the sole figure in a peloton where the level of competition is so deep.“ What I’ m really proud of is racing in this era. There are so many names that have left their mark on our sport in recent years. And the races are so exciting! In cycling, nothing is ever a foregone conclusion. I’ ve been beaten before and I will be again. Jonas has, so far, been my main rival on the Tour, but I’ m convinced that other riders will want to put pressure on me this summer and that we’ ll also see some new faces.”
ALWAYS READY TO PUT ON A SHOW This refusal to accept a form of total domination says a lot about the fourtime Tour winner. Pogačar isn’ t just a winner, he’ s first and foremost a showman. A rider who attacks, who takes risks, who sometimes fails, but who helps to bring racing to life. And perhaps that is where the real challenge lies: not just racking up victories, but in continuing to embody the vitality that makes cycling such a spectacle.
“ When you sense that you’ re getting the crowds on the roadside fired up, that they’ re cheering you on to try to clinch victory, it’ s an exceptional feeling, really! You’ re so close to the fans that you can see the expressions on their faces. This gives you incredible energy. The desire to keep experiencing this thrill is why I train so hard. I still feel like I’ m improving year on year, even though my margin for improvement has undoubtedly narrowed over the seasons. I’ m gaining experience and working hard on many aspects.” ●
FOUR EXCEPTIONAL TOUR VICTORIES
2020: THE MOST UNEXPECTED We already knew that he was a phenomenal and precocious talent, but Pogi defied all the predictions that Primož Roglič would become the first Slovenian winner of the Tour. The youngster from Komenda seized the lead on the penultimate stage, soundly beating his older rival in the time trial at La Planche des Belles Filles. Historic!
2021: THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED It was the same Tadej, but better. The message to his rivals was clear right from the stage 5 Laval time trial, which he flew through, before donning the yellow jersey three days later on the Le Grand Bornand stage. He never looked back. His rivals were left reeling: Vingegaard finished second on debut, but well off the pace of the defending champion.
2024: THE MOST SPECTACULAR Pogačar set out to win the Tour having already claimed victory in the Giro. That summer, he regained the upper hand over his Danish rival and went on a rampage, winning six stages along the way. Vingegaard( 2nd) was more than six minutes back in Paris, while Evenepoel( 3rd) ended his first Tour well over nine minutes behind.
2025: THE MOST CALCULATED The world champion put on a show, securing his 100th professional victory with a stage win in Rouen. But he was less voracious than usual and seemed to be managing his daily efforts following decisive victories at Hautacam and in the Peyragudes time trial. Despite taking his foot off the pedal slightly( or maintaining control?) in the third week, he sealed his fourth title with a spectacular display on the cobbles of Montmartre alongside Wout van Aert.
PHOTOGRAPHS: BERNARD PAPON / L’ EQUIPE, ETIENNE GARNIER / L’ EQUIPE
16 | TOUR DE FRANCE 2026