"Tadej Pogacar considers Paris-Roubail his primary objective following his fourth Tour de France win, as he forgoes participation in the Vuelta a España."
Tadej Pogačar Shifts Focus Towards One-Day Races and the 2028 Olympics
After an impressive fourth Tour de France victory, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar has announced his plans for the future, with a focus on one-day races and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Pogačar, aged 26, has expressed his intention to race in Paris-Roubaix starting from 2026, marking a shift towards the cobbled classics after his successes in grand tours and other monuments. The Slovenian champion aims to compete in the World Championships and Il Lombardia later in the 2025 season as well.
In a press conference during the Tour de France, Pogačar spoke about the possibility of burnout and the importance of taking a break and preparing for the next season. He also stated that breaking historical records is not his primary goal, but rather enjoying the sport and exploring new challenges.
Skipping the Vuelta a España 2025 to rest and recover, Pogačar aims to compete in the late-season events to defend his world champion title and seek another Il Lombardia victory. The Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 are one of Pogačar's goals, and he has hinted that he might not race much longer than 2028, viewing the Olympics as a possible capstone event before retirement.
Despite having a contract until 2030, Pogačar has stated that he still has a long contract but does not see himself continuing for too long. The Slovenian cyclist has little left to achieve in cycling with his numerous accolades and accomplishments, but he is not planning too much past the 2028 Olympic Games regarding his cycling career.
Pogačar took second place in his debut at Paris-Roubaix and plans to defend his Tour de France title next year. With a long-term plan in place and a clear trajectory towards the 2028 Olympics, Pogačar is focusing on other things in his life while enjoying cycling and preparing for the challenges ahead.
Pogačar's focus on one-day races and the 2028 Olympics moves him to aim for Paris-Roubaix in 2026, following his intention to enjoy the sport and explore new challenges rather than focusing on breaking historical records. Additionally, the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 are a significant goal for Pogačar, who suggests that he may not race beyond this event as a potential capstone before a potential retirement.
