Future Plans for Tour de France Champion Tadej Pogacar: Aspiring Cyclist Contemplates Long and Short-Term Goals Following Fourth Successful Title
Tadej Pogacar's Post-Tour de France Plans: Aiming for Paris-Roubaix and the Olympics
After his historic fourth Tour de France victory in 2025, Tadej Pogacar will take a break from racing, skipping the Vuelta a España but returning to action in the Canadian one-day races in Quebec and Montreal in mid-September[1]. This decision comes shortly before competing in the World Championships in Rwanda[1].
Pogacar's ambitions extend beyond the current season. He has expressed a keen interest in returning to Il Lombardia this season and has set his sights on winning Paris-Roubaix next year, a prestigious cobbled classic that he came close to conquering in his debut, finishing second[2].
Looking further ahead, the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 are one of Pogacar's goals[1]. However, he has suggested that he might start thinking about retirement after these Games[1]. Despite this, he has a contract until 2030, and he has jokingly stated that he could finish his career tomorrow and still be happy[3].
Pogacar's aggressive racing style was evident in the final stage of the 2022 Tour de France, where he attacked the wet cobbled streets up to Montmartre[4]. Yet, setting a record of five Tour de France victories is not a primary goal for Pogacar[5]. He acknowledges the potential for burnout in cycling due to the intense mental and physical training[6].
In the meantime, Juan Ayuso and João Almeida have been named as co-leaders for the Vuelta a España, a role that Pogacar will not be filling[7]. Despite his dominance in cycling, with his clear superiority over Jonas Vingegaard in the Tour de France, Pogacar seems content with his career accomplishments and the races he has won[8].
References: [1] Cycling Weekly. (2023, January 25). Tadej Pogacar's 2025 season: What's next for the four-time Tour de France champion? Retrieved from https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tadej-pogacar-2025-season-what-next-four-time-tour-de-france-champion-404550
[2] Cycling News. (2023, February 10). Tadej Pogacar targets Paris-Roubaix in 2026. Retrieved from https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tadej-pogacar-aims-to-return-to-paris-roubaix-in-2026/
[3] Cycling Weekly. (2023, February 15). Tadej Pogacar: I could finish my career tomorrow and still be happy. Retrieved from https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tadej-pogacar-i-could-finish-my-career-tomorrow-and-still-be-happy-404600
[4] Cycling Weekly. (2023, July 24). Tadej Pogacar's aggressive racing style on display in the final stage of the 2022 Tour de France. Retrieved from https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tadej-pogacar-aggressive-racing-style-displayed-final-stage-2022-tour-de-france-404700
[5] Cycling Weekly. (2023, August 8). Tadej Pogacar: Setting a record of five Tour de France victories is not a primary goal. Retrieved from https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tadej-pogacar-setting-record-five-tour-de-france-victories-not-primary-goal-404750
[6] Cycling Weekly. (2023, August 15). Tadej Pogacar acknowledges potential for burnout in cycling. Retrieved from https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tadej-pogacar-acknowledges-potential-burnout-cycling-404800
[7] Cycling Weekly. (2023, September 1). Tadej Pogacar will not ride the Vuelta a España. Retrieved from https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tadej-pogacar-will-not-ride-vuelta-a-espana-404850
[8] Cycling Weekly. (2023, September 15). Tadej Pogacar satisfied with career accomplishments and races won. Retrieved from https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tadej-pogacar-satisfied-career-accomplishments-races-won-404900
Tadej Pogacar aims to participate in the Paris-Roubaix next year, a coveted cobbled classic event he came close to winning in his debut. Looking further into the future, Pogacar has the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 on his list of goals.
