‘I’ve never considered retiring in 2028’: Pogacar reveals secrets behind record 2025 season

Tadej Pogačar has once again raised the bar in 2025. It seemed impossible, yet the Slovenian delivered another record-breaking year to prove it wasn’t. But how did he even manage it? The two-time Tour de France winner breaks down his progress – and responds to a rumour about a possible early end to his career.

Pogačar’s mentality has been praised for years. Every season he returns stronger, driven by fresh motivation. “I can’t just sit at home on the couch and do nothing! I love cycling and racing; I’ve been doing it since I was nine,” he tells La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Adrenaline is part of my lifestyle. But there is one thing that motivates me more than anything else.”

And what is that? “Seeing how far I can push myself to improve. Training, racing, everything. Finding new ways to move forward, to stay on top. In short: remaining the best version of myself.” He certainly succeeded in that again this season, with the Tour de France victory, wins at the World Championships, and three Monuments. The world champion explains where that progress came from.

A few things have changed in recent years for Pogačar. He now works with a new coach, Javier Sola, and nutrition expert Gorka Prieto. “We speak to Javier every day; he’s an incredible guide and we have a perfect connection. As for Gorka, he’s one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever seen. He creates individual nutrition plans, all different, for 30 riders.”

That set the stage for the record-breaking season of UAE Team Emirates – XRG: thanks in part to Prieto’s work, the team collected 95 victories. The hunt for 100 wins in a single year is officially open. “Our nutrition is now almost perfect, and until a few years ago I found it hard to stick to it, but now I understand how important it is and how much difference it makes to performance.”

Pogačar has always been open about his long-term plans: he has no intention of racing until he is 40. Suppose he wins the Vuelta, Paris-Roubaix, and Milan–San Remo, and then becomes Olympic champion in 2028 — would that be the end? “I never thought about stopping at the end of 2028. I signed my contract until 2030, and unless something crazy happens, of course I will stick to it. Otherwise, I would never have signed with that date in mind.”

There is certainly no sign of an early exit from UAE Team Emirates – XRG. “The team gets better every year and I feel more and more like part of a family. I don’t see myself anywhere else, and if I want to keep racing after 2030, there’s a good chance I’ll still be with UAE. But that’s still far away: right now I’m relaxed, I’m having fun, and there are no problems.”

We will have to wait a little longer for the return of the all-conquering Slovenian. Pogačar is expected to make his comeback at Strade Bianche, with all eyes on the next Monuments: Milan–San Remo and Paris-Roubaix.