Pogacar refuses to confirm his participation in the 2026 Tour de France during his memorable podium speech
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Follow us on GooglePut Tadej Pogacar on a bike, and he does extraordinary things. But give him a microphone on the main stage in Paris, and the Slovenian gets a little lost for words. The 26-year-old all-rounder from UAE Team Emirates-XRG won the Tour de France for the fourth time, and so he had to give a speech alongside runner-up Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe). After a somewhat awkward start, he came up with some nice words.
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“I'm still not really used to doing this. I'm not really comfortable speaking in front of so many people, with a microphone in my hand and all the cameras focused on us,” Pogacar began in his yellow jersey in Paris. “Above all, I want to say that it is an honor and a pleasure to be on the podium with my two strongest opponents from the race. I have a lot of respect for you both, and it was a great battle in the greatest Tour de France.”
Shortly after stage 21, Pogacar also had kind words for Vingegaard, whom he met before the start of the stage. “I spoke with Jonas about how much has changed in recent years. We've been racing against each other in the Tour for five years now and pushing each other to a higher level. We have to push our limits to beat each other, so I have to give him credit for that. He fought really hard, and I want to congratulate him on that.”
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Pogacar casts doubt on participation in 2026 Tour de France?
“I am very happy and proud to be here, and I have to thank everyone from my family to my team for that. Thank you for all your support, also on the road,” Pogacar continued. The Slovenian had enjoyed all the support in the Tour de France, which he said was almost entirely positive. “There was almost no bad vibes along the way, which was really nice to see on all the climbs. So many kids were there too, cheering for everyone and not just for one rider.”
“That was wonderful to see and to experience. It was one of the toughest Tours I've ever done, so hats off to everyone who made it to the finish. And when Pogacar couldn't think of how to end his speech, the organizers next to him started shouting for him to announce his participation for 2026. Pogacar didn't do that yet. “Maybe I'll be back!”
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026
