Pogačar's Roubaix absence could be decided in Australia: does Tour Down Under start point to shorter spring?
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Follow us on GoogleTadej Pogačar has been vocal about some of his upcoming goals for the 2027 season, when he will make a return to racing following his crash in La Vuelta. Whilst his calendar has not been confirmed, he has openly admitted that a sixth Tour de France title is in his sights. Rumours about what the spring could hold for him are flying, with suggestions that he will not ride Paris-Roubaix, and instead start at the Tour Down Under.
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Early start to the season for Pogačar in Australia?
So when will we first see the Slovenian great back in action? If you ask his friend in the bunch, Michael Matthews it will be very early, at the first stop on the UCI WorldTour Calendar, the Tour Down Under. The 2027 edition of the race will take place between January 16 and 24 in Adelaide, South Australia.
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Pogačar will be targeting a 6th Tour victory in 2027
"To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw him there—that’s for sure,” the Australian said. “It sounds like he’s really excited about going there sometime in the future. I don’t know exactly when that will be yet.”
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The Tour Down Under theory is backed up by RTV Slovenia, who seem to think Pogačar will indeed begin his season in Adelaide. This would mean an early start to the season with a longer break before the summer and perhaps fewer spring classics.
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Fewer spring classics could point to absence at Paris-Roubaix
Pogačar won every one-day race he started last season, except one. He was beaten in a thrilling fashion by Wout van Aert on the velodrome at Roubaix, a monument the Slovenian is yet to win.
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There has been no mention of Paris-Roubaix in the UAE rider's plans so far, pointing to the fact he may miss it in order to take a longer break before a summer in which he will target two Grand Tours, and a World Championship.
For Pogačar, who is notoriously competitive, it may be that missing Paris-Roubaix is less of a choice, and more of a necessity, given his complex racing calendar.
Others think Pogačar will start at Roubaix after all
Some outlets, like Tour Magazin, are convinced that Paris-Roubaix will remain a main goal for Pogačar, as his calendar has yet to be officially confirmed.
Pogačar said he would like to conquer the Vuelta again following this year's crash
Pogačar has pointed to a team meeting in Abu Dhabi where discussions will take place to finalise his 2027 plans, after which it may become more clear when and where we will see the Slovenian in the spring and beyond.
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Clarice WebsterEditor
Clarice has been following cycling her whole life, wroting about Thibaut Pinot (among others) for her university magazine while earning her masters in Journalism. She is passionate about furthering equality in sports coverage, and has taken huge inspiration from pillars of women’s cycling like Beryl Burton, Marianne Vos, and Laura Kenny.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still figuring out how time trials affect the overall race. If Evenepoel gains time there, will Pogačar have enough mountain stages left to make it back? The route sounds exciting, but I’m not sure how much difference 71km makes.davidm22-10-2026
- Two 223km stages in the opening week could make for a proper nervous start. Those narrow British roads and potholes might have the GC favourites watching every corner.jennifer1922-10-2026
- That Pau–Portet stage sounds absolutely savage: Tourmalet, Soulor, Hourquette d’Ancizan and then the Portet. Vingegaard should suit those long climbs, though Pogačar is hardly easy to shake.julien22-10-2026
- Seventy-one kilometres against the clock gives Evenepoel a real chance to put pressure on Pogačar, but those Pyrenean stages look brutal. Could be a cracking final week if the time gaps stay close.sprocketspiny22-10-2026
- Not sure we can call this a perfect Evenepoel route before we’ve seen the start list. Plenty of time-trialling, yes, but those Pyrenees stages look absolutely savage. Could be a great Tour, though.julien22-10-2026
- I’m still learning the route—does a time trial mean every rider starts separately, and the fastest time wins the stage? Either way, 38km sounds like a long time to be racing alone!breakawaybikerd22-10-2026
- Montmartre again! Three ascents, with the last one 10km from the line, could make the finale far less predictable than a straightforward bunch sprint. Can’t wait.pedalpowe2922-10-2026
- The July 14 stage looks savage: 4,750 metres in just 150km is a proper day in the mountains. Skipping the biggest Alpine giants but finishing at Les Saisies should make for an interesting tactical race.velodromevirtuoso122-10-2026
- Seventy-one kilometres against the clock and only three summit finishes—Remco will be circling this one. But that Portet stage is brutal enough to undo a lot of damage in a hurry.davidm22-10-2026
- TotalEnergies’ sponsor situation makes this whole race for an invitation feel a bit academic unless they can secure funding. Hope they get it sorted—I’d love to see more teams get a crack at the Tour.cadencekingm21-10-2026
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