Imagine dominating professional cycling so completely that you could retire today, perfectly content with your legacy. That's the position Tadej Pogacar finds himself in. He's already racked up a career's worth of achievements in a single season, including the Tour de France, Strade Bianche, three monuments (Flanders, Liège, and Lombardia – a feat in itself!), plus World and European Championships. It's a staggering list! He seems almost untouchable.
But here's the thing: even a champion like Pogacar has unfinished business. There are still a few races that burn with a special intensity, races he feels compelled to conquer. We're talking about Milano-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix, and the Vuelta a España. Each presents a unique challenge that fuels his competitive fire.
In a recent interview with Marca in Abu Dhabi, Pogacar reflected on his incredible 2025 season, stopping short of calling it perfect. "I would give it a 9," he admitted, "but there is always room for improvement in every aspect of your life. I think I can get better at certain things, on and off the bike. It can be better." It might sound surprising that someone so dominant believes he can still improve, but that's the mindset of a true champion. Cycling is incredibly complex, with so many variables at play that continuous improvement is always possible. Think about it - even marginal gains in aerodynamics, nutrition, or training can make a significant difference at the highest level.
He also reminisced about the highlights of the year. "There were many beautiful moments. There were a lot of victories with different teammates, in different teams, with the national team, in World or European Championships, in the Tour de France, in all the Monuments I participated in... Every race has a different story and different emotions, so I can't choose a favorite. I have too many nice memories." It's a testament to his success and the joy he finds in the sport.
Pogacar's season was remarkably consistent, largely due to avoiding illnesses and injuries. This allowed him to focus on development, aided by the growing support of UAE Team Emirates. And he delivered across all types of terrain, showcasing his versatility and adaptability.
He made strong attempts at Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix, finishing third and second respectively. But he felt that his tactics were understood and countered. This provides extra motivation for 2026, where these two races will likely be primary targets. Winning them would solidify his place even further in cycling's history books. He'd be joining a very exclusive club of riders who have conquered such diverse challenges.
"I like a challenge and every year I try to change the program a little bit," Pogacar explains. "But now I think I've become quite limited in what I can race. And every year there's the Tour de France, which is the big goal of the team and myself. But yes, I like to try new things and, in the next few years, I don't want to finish my career without having tried everything else. I want to try a lot of new things." This adventurous spirit suggests we might see him branching out into other cycling disciplines.
And this is the part most people miss... Could we see Pogacar try cyclocross? It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. He has experience in the past and friends who are active in the discipline. Plus, there's even the potential for cyclocross to become an Olympic sport by 2030. He also expressed interest in racing the Gravel World Championships this year, originally scheduled near his home in Monaco, before the location changed to the Netherlands. This demonstrates his willingness to explore different avenues within cycling.
Looking ahead to 2026, his calendar is relatively straightforward. He has two key objectives for the spring: "I think going to the Tour again. It's pretty obvious: it's the biggest race of all. But I also want to express myself in the classics, show if I can improve in the one-day races compared to this year or last year. San Remo and Roubaix are two races that I'm very motivated to try again and fight for the victory."
La Vuelta remains the only Grand Tour missing from his palmarès. It's undoubtedly a future goal, but he doesn't feel pressured to win it immediately. "If I finished my career today, I'd be pretty happy even if I didn't win La Vuelta." But here's where it gets controversial... Does this relaxed attitude towards the Vuelta suggest a lack of ambition, or a strategic prioritization of other races? Could his focus on one-day classics and the Tour de France actually prolong his career and lead to even greater overall success? What do you think? Is it better to chase every possible victory, or to focus on specific goals and maintain longevity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
