Tadej Pogačar: “The odds are pretty good to have five Tours de France, but that’s not the goal I want
Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian cycling prodigy, has captivated the world with his extraordinary talent, resilience, and versatility. At just 25 years old, Pogačar has already won the Tour de France twice (2020, 2021), claiming his place among the greatest names in the history of the sport. Yet, in a candid and reflective statement, Pogačar revealed that despite the allure of equaling or surpassing legends like Eddy Merckx or Chris Froome, his goal is not simply to amass five victories in the world’s most prestigious cycling race.
Pogačar burst onto the global stage during the 2020 Tour de France, where his dramatic final-day time trial secured him the yellow jersey and made him the youngest winner since 1904. His dominance continued in 2021, where he showcased unmatched strength across all terrains, from the mountains to the flats. He quickly became the rider everyone wanted to beat, with comparisons drawn to cycling legends.
While many observers began speculating about his potential to chase a record-breaking number of Tour de France wins, Pogačar’s focus seems more grounded. He has expressed a love for cycling that transcends the pressure of repeating or surpassing past accomplishments.
Pogačar’s recent statement—“The odds are pretty good to have five Tours de France, but that’s not the goal I want”—speaks volumes about his mindset. For many athletes, particularly in cycling, there is an undeniable temptation to chase records. After all, the mystique of holding multiple Tour de France titles carries a sense of immortality within the sport. Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, and Chris Froome, all with five or more wins, occupy an almost mythic status.
Yet Pogačar’s outlook seems refreshingly different. While acknowledging that his capabilities and the odds might allow for multiple victories, he doesn’t feel the need to define his career solely by the number of yellow jerseys he collects. He wants his legacy to be about more than just victories in a singular race, as monumental as the Tour de France may be.
Pogačar’s love for cycling extends far beyond the Tour de France. His versatility as a rider has allowed him to dominate in a variety of races. Whether it’s one-day classics, where he’s demonstrated his prowess in events like the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, or stage races across different continents, Pogačar seems to thrive on variety.
His attacking spirit and willingness to take risks have endeared him to fans and set him apart from other elite cyclists who may focus more exclusively on carefully calculated performances. The Slovenian’s passion for the sport is palpable, and it’s clear that he rides for more than just the pursuit of records or milestones. For him, it’s about the beauty of the race itself—the strategy, the landscapes, and the camaraderie within the peloton.
Despite his early dominance, Pogačar has also shown resilience in the face of defeat. His most notable setback came in the 2022 Tour de France, where Jonas Vingegaard of Jumbo-Visma bested him. In the face of that loss, Pogačar’s response was one of humility and determination. He graciously congratulated his rival, while also acknowledging the learning experience that came with defeat.
Such setbacks seem to have deepened his perspective. Pogačar recognizes that winning the Tour de France is never guaranteed, even for a rider of his immense talent. The competition is fierce, and the race is unpredictable, filled with challenges like weather conditions, team dynamics, and health issues. Rather than obsess over future wins, Pogačar seems more interested in becoming the best version of himself, both as a rider and as a person.
Off the bike, Pogačar leads a relatively quiet and grounded life. His fiancée, fellow cyclist Urška Žigart, plays an essential role in his life, helping him balance the demands of professional cycling with his personal aspirations. Their relationship, built on mutual understanding of the challenges faced by elite athletes, has given him a strong support system, allowing him to stay focused on what truly matters to him.
In recent interviews, Pogačar has hinted that while cycling remains his primary passion, there are other things in life he wants to experience. He has spoken about the possibility of stepping away from the sport earlier than expected, perhaps to pursue other interests, whether that be starting a family, exploring other sports, or simply living a life away from the spotlight. Such admissions have fueled rumors about an eventual early retirement, though Pogačar has been quick to clarify that while he remains committed to cycling, he won’t let the sport consume every aspect of his life.
Pogačar’s declaration that chasing five Tours de France isn’t his ultimate goal suggests a broader vision for his career. Rather than becoming singularly focused on one race, he wants to enjoy the entirety of what professional cycling has to offer. This could mean targeting other Grand Tours, like the Giro d’Italia or the Vuelta a España, or continuing to develop his already impressive palmarès in one-day races and classics.
Moreover, his ambition might not only be limited to victories but also to contributing to the future of the sport. Pogačar’s popularity and influence provide him with a unique platform to inspire the next generation of cyclists, particularly in Slovenia, where cycling has exploded in popularity thanks to his success.
If there’s one word that encapsulates Tadej Pogačar, it’s “joy.” His exuberance on the bike, his infectious smile, and his love for the race have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. He rides not just to win, but for the pure love of the sport, and that attitude has resonated with people beyond the cycling community.
By stating that five Tour de France titles aren’t his ultimate goal, Pogačar is perhaps reminding us that there’s more to life—and cycling—than numbers and records. His legacy may not be measured purely in terms of wins, but rather in the joy, excitement, and inspiration he brings to the sport. Whether or not he reaches five Tour de France victories, Tadej Pogačar’s name will undoubtedly be remembered for his passion, resilience, and the beauty he brings to cycling.
