Imagine being on the brink of cycling immortality, with a trophy case overflowing with Grand Tours and World Championships, yet calmly shrugging off the pressure to conquer every last iconic race—sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it? Dive into the world of Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian sensation who's redefining what it means to dominate the peloton, and discover why he's not letting obsession define his legacy.
Tadej Pogačar, the cycling prodigy whose name is synonymous with excellence (check out this deep dive into his life at Cycling Weekly), has come tantalizingly close to wrapping up his storied career. He's claimed victory in four Tour de France titles, two World Championships, and a staggering 10 Monument races—those prestigious one-day classics like the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège that are the pinnacle of road cycling's heritage. To put it simply for newcomers, Monuments are the sport's equivalent of the Super Bowl or Wimbledon finals: grueling, historic events that test riders over challenging terrains and demand peak performance.
As he edges closer to being hailed as the greatest cyclist ever (a debate that's heating up in cycling circles), Pogačar insists he's far from fixated on clinching the few races still eluding him. Among these are Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix, the only two Monuments he hasn't added to his collection yet. But here's where it gets controversial: is his laid-back attitude a sign of true mastery, or a risky gamble that could leave his GOAT bid incomplete?
During a media briefing with UAE Team Emirates-XRG in Benidorm, a reporter boldly asked when Pogačar would finally triumph in San Remo and Roubaix. His response was a gentle correction: 'If I win these races,' he emphasized, shifting from the assumption of victory. 'But if I never do, I'll feel I've given it everything I could in cycling.'
He went on to highlight the vast array of opportunities still out there, like the one-week stage races he hasn't tackled—the Vuelta a España, for instance—and noted how time flies, making it tough to chase every prize. Cycling's calendar is packed with major events, mid-tier races, and even smaller ones, creating a rich tapestry of challenges. Pogačar appreciates returning to favorites and aiming for new wins, but he's clear he's not consumed by it in the way some fans or rivals might expect. 'I don't rush to conquer any of them,' he shared, preferring a balanced approach.
Pressed further on Roubaix and San Remo—where he's joked that the latter might just kill him—he reiterated, 'As I mentioned, I'm not obsessed with either.' Yet, at 27, he admits Roubaix holds a special pull. And this is the part most people miss: he'd trade an extra Tour win for Roubaix any day. 'If I had to pick between another Tour title or Roubaix, it'd be Roubaix hands down,' he explained. 'I've got four Tours under my belt, so adding a fifth isn't as transformative as going from zero to one in that legendary cobbled hellscape.' It's a fascinating choice that flips conventional wisdom—most cyclists would kill for another Grand Tour victory.
Looking ahead to 2026, Pogačar's schedule mirrors 2025's blueprint, with primary focuses on Strade Bianche, the northern European Monuments quartet, the Tour de France, and defending his World Championship rainbow jersey. He'll also add the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse, rounding out three of the seven major one-week stage races (the 'Big 7') he hasn't won yet. Skipping larger stage races like Paris-Nice or the Critérium du Dauphiné in favor of Classics isn't the norm for Tour contenders, but Pogačar isn't your average rider. 'Everyone has their preferred path to peak for the season's highlights,' he said, reflecting on how he's managed both Classics and the Tour successfully.
He acknowledges the grind: racing a Monument weekly before switching to mountainous terrain for the Tour requires immense adaptability. Sometimes, he'd prefer starting with altitude training via stage races, but that's not his style. And he fully respects choices like Remco Evenepoel's decision to skip the Classics entirely—'It's not easy to juggle both,' he noted, showing empathy for fellow pros.
Of course, the Classics come with risks, like crashes that could sideline a rider for the Tour. 'Bad luck in Roubaix could mean broken bones and no Tour start,' Pogačar conceded. But he points out that mishaps can strike anywhere—even in training—and the Tour's prep is fraught with compromises anyway. It's just part of the high-stakes game.
Here's another twist that might surprise you: the Classics are where Pogačar truly enjoys the thrill. Unlike the Tour's relentless 21-day marathon of stress, where fatigue builds and every pedal stroke contributes to a larger goal, one-day races offer pure, concentrated excitement. 'You show up, pour everything into that single day, and the pressure isn't the same as the Tour's daily grind,' he described. At the Tour, the fun fades amid exhaustion and strategy. In contrast, the Classics let him race with unbridled joy.
Especially in recent years, Pogačar's victories have made elite cycling seem effortless, like a leisurely victory lap. But he insists it's deceptive. 'The battles are razor-close, even if the gaps look big on paper,' he argued, emphasizing the tightness of competitions. With young talents like Florian Lipowitz (third in the 2025 Tour) and Oscar Onley (fourth) rising, alongside others who've faced misfortune, competition is fiercer than ever. 'No win comes easy,' he said. 'There are always rivals ready to challenge—it's not like there's a yawning gap making one guy untouchable.'
So, what's your take on Pogačar's philosophy? Do you agree that chasing every win is overrated, or should he push harder for those elusive Monuments to cement his greatness? Is his preference for Roubaix over another Tour a bold statement or a missed opportunity? Share your thoughts in the comments—let's debate whether this relaxed approach is genius or a gamble that could haunt his legacy!
