Indurain explains Pogacar's retirement remark: "Mental fatigue can outweigh the physical"

Pogacar is only 26 and could therefore equal the record at the age of 27. But precisely because he is so young, Indurain is a little apprehensive. “In professional sport, you start very young and that takes its toll, especially on a mental level,” he explains to EFE. "Psychological fatigue can sometimes weigh more heavily than physical fatigue. Many suffer from mental problems because of the pressure.“

Don't get him wrong: the 61-year-old Spaniard from Pamplona has no doubts about the world champion's qualities. If anyone can win the Tour five times (or more), it's Pogacar. ”He's close, and he has everything it takes to do it." But then the powerhouse will have to have his head in the right place. “If he feels good and is well motivated, he will be the one who sets his own limits.”

That's easier said than done. Cycling is a demanding sport. “In our sport, you have to factor in the traveling, the stress, the crashes, and the tension of competition.” In addition, cyclists are often away from home, and family life is challenging to combine with top-level sport. “Some last longer, some less. But the key is that you are convinced of what you are doing.” Will Pogacar start in the 2026 Tour de France? He refused to confirm that he would be there.

Pogacar showed once again in the Tour why he is the best cyclist in the world, but it was clear that his spark was fading. In a post-Tour criterium in Komenda, his hometown, he made a striking statement: “The fact is that I am already counting down the years until my retirement.” Indurain understands how the Slovenian feels. "These are phases we all have to go through. Whether you end your career sooner or later depends on how hungry you are. When you lose that spark, everything can become much more difficult."