Tadej Pogačar's quest for greatness shifts focus—he's less enthused by another yellow jersey and more driven by the legendary monuments in cycling. If you're wondering what makes this Slovenian superstar tick, the answer lies in his bold ambitions for 2026 and beyond. But here's where it gets controversial: many fans and experts might assume that accumulating more Tour de France titles is the ultimate goal, yet Pogačar seems more passionate about conquering the iconic one-day classics than chasing a sixth Tour victory.
At just 27 years old, Pogačar's upcoming racing calendar, unveiled during the UAE team's pre-season gathering in Spain, reveals a deliberate strategy. This schedule isn't cluttered with a multitude of races; instead, it zeroes in on the cycling monuments—those historic, demanding races that define a cyclist’s legacy—and the Tour de France, which remains a pinnacle yet approached differently this year.
In an exclusive interview, Pogačar expressed a surprising preference: "I think I would choose Roubaix over the Tour because I’ve already won the Tour four times. The difference between having none and one monument win seems larger than between four and five Tour victories," he said. Still, he admits that setting a record of five Tour wins holds significant personal importance.
This season, Pogačar has deliberately avoided early-season races like the UAE Tour or other events that don’t excite him. Instead, he’s waiting until after the classics to start his stage race campaign, kicking things off with the Tour de Romandie, followed later by the Tour de Suisse—two of the very few remaining WorldTour events he hasn't won or partaken in yet.
From the early spring classics like Strade Bianche through the grueling cobbled segments of northern France, the Slovenian rider is laser-focused on completing a rare feat: sweeping all of cycling's prestigious monuments. Only three legendary men—Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx, and Roger De Vlaeminck—have achieved this distinction. For Pogačar, this isn’t just a fantasy; it’s a measurable goal that defines his current ambitions.
Despite his youth, Pogačar is quickly closing in on a career marked by historic achievements, including multiple victories at the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Il Lombardia. Missing from his impressive list are the iconic Spring races of Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix—two monuments that now represent the last challenge on his road to a complete monument collection. After narrowly missing victory this year—finishing third at San Remo and second at Roubaix—these races have become the core focus moving forward.
Who might be able to stand in his way? Considering his current trajectory, a record-equalling fifth Tour de France seems almost inevitable—prompting the question: can anyone truly dethrone him from this monumental pursuit?
Despite the obsession with the Tour, Pogačar is embracing a more tailored approach to his racing career. The goal is now to excel in the one-day classics—races that are simpler in concept but equally, if not more, demanding—favoring the intensity of a single day over the relentless grind of 21 stages. "In the classics, everything is concentrated on one day, and it’s less stressful than the Tour," he explained. "The Tour is far more intense. It’s difficult to enjoy the race when you’re pushing your limits each day, but afterward, you can look back and feel proud of what you achieved."
Additionally, exciting new developments include Mexican talent Isaac del Toro making his debut at the Tour, while João Almeida has set his sights on the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. The World Championships in Montréal are also on the radar—a possible third consecutive rainbow jersey for Pogačar—though nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
As for the Vuelta, the elusive third Grand Tour in his grand quest, Pogačar acknowledges it’s a race he intends to conquer someday. For now, he admits there are remaining boxes to tick, though they are steadily shrinking as his career advances. At this stage, he feels he has little left to prove—what truly motivates him now is the freedom to race on his own terms.
His words underscore this drive: "If I win San Remo and Roubaix, I’d feel like I’ve hardly left anything undone. There are still some one-week races and the Vuelta, which I haven’t won yet, but time is running out fast. The cycling calendar is very broad, and I want to make the most of it."
Right now, his primary targets are the one-day classics and securing a record-breaking fifth yellow jersey—proof of his extraordinary talent and relentless pursuit of greatness. But as his ambitions grow, so does the challenge for rivals who seek to challenge his dominance. The question remains: as Pogačar’s legend continues to unfold, who will be brave enough, or perhaps bold enough, to stand in his way? Or will he rewrite the history books himself? Let us know what you think—do you agree that his quest is unstoppable, or is there a dark horse waiting to spoil his plans? The debate is open.
