Tadej Pogacar isn’t just winning races—he’s rewriting cycling history. Fresh off a stunning 2024 season that saw him claim the rare triple crown—the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and the UCI Road World Championships—the Slovenian sensation is back, and this time, he’s starting his campaign on home turf at the UAE Tour. As cycling enthusiasts and fans of the sport eagerly watch, Pogacar’s ambitions for 2025 are nothing short of extraordinary.

Known for his unrelenting drive, raw talent, and natural ability to dominate the most prestigious events in cycling, Pogacar’s remarkable achievements in the 2024 season have only further solidified his place as one of the sport’s greatest champions. But as he steps into the new season, it’s clear that this young superstar is far from content with past glory. If anything, 2025 looks set to be a year where Pogacar aims to deliver even more, setting new benchmarks for success in a sport that is as unpredictable as it is unforgiving.

The 2024 Season: A Historic Triple Crown

To understand the full extent of Pogacar’s motivation for 2025, one must first look back at the jaw-dropping feats he accomplished in 2024. The Slovenian’s dominance throughout the season was unprecedented, securing a trifecta that only a few of the sport’s legends have even come close to: the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and the UCI Road World Championships.

Winning the Tour de France for a third consecutive time, Pogacar further cemented his place in history as one of the most consistent and successful Grand Tour riders of his generation. His determination, strategic prowess, and relentless climbs on the mountain stages left his competitors in awe. But his victory didn’t come easy; he had to fend off fierce rivals, including the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, who had made significant strides as his biggest challenger in the previous years. Yet Pogacar’s ability to defend his yellow jersey with such poise and style showcased not only his raw physical ability but also his mental toughness, a trait that has defined his approach to racing.

Then, in what seemed like a crowning moment of his career, Pogacar conquered the Giro d’Italia. Few expected him to participate, given the arduous demands of the event, yet he tore through the competition, proving yet again that he wasn’t just limited to the Tour de France. His victory in Italy demonstrated his versatility as a rider, as he displayed remarkable climbing skills, time-trial ability, and the tactical sharpness required to navigate through the difficult stages of the Giro.

To top it all off, Pogacar completed the rare achievement of winning the UCI Road World Championships, an event that not only brought him immense personal satisfaction but also placed him firmly in the conversation as one of the greatest all-around cyclists of the modern era. Winning a title that combines both the time-trial and road-race formats was the perfect capstone to a historic year, allowing him to add yet another prestigious rainbow jersey to his growing collection.

A New Challenge: The UAE Tour and the Start of the 2025 Campaign

With such a remarkable 2024 behind him, Pogacar has little left to prove, but that’s not how champions think. This year, he kicks off his season at the UAE Tour, an event that holds special significance for the Slovenian star. The UAE Tour is not just another race for Pogacar — it’s a return to where he made a name for himself on the international stage, having won the event in 2020. Back then, he was a rising star, a 21-year-old prodigy on the cusp of his breakthrough. Now, five years later, he is the undisputed face of cycling and perhaps its most marketable athlete.

The UAE Tour offers Pogacar a unique opportunity to start the year strong. While it may not carry the same prestige as the Grand Tours, the race is highly regarded for its combination of high-altitude climbs and fast, flat sections, which makes it a great testing ground for his early-season form. The conditions are tough, with the riders navigating through the deserts of the United Arab Emirates, where the weather can vary from intense heat to chilly winds. Yet, it is precisely these challenges that fuel Pogacar’s hunger to perform. For him, it’s all about keeping his fitness levels high while facing fresh challenges that help sharpen his focus.

Pogacar’s Motivation for 2025: The Drive for Even More Glory

So, what drives Pogacar in 2025? After all, he has already achieved feats that most riders can only dream of. For many, reaching the pinnacle of the sport might lead to complacency, but that is not Pogacar’s style. His mentality is built on constant improvement, which is evident in his meticulous approach to training, racing, and his overall mindset. He doesn’t just want to win races — he wants to make a statement.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Pogacar’s approach is his desire to continue challenging himself in every facet of the sport. He’s already proven that he can dominate the most prestigious Grand Tours, but he now seems to have set his sights on breaking even more records. The upcoming seasons are not just about holding onto his titles but about expanding his legacy in new ways. In fact, Pogacar’s 2025 focus is twofold: maintaining his dominance in the Grand Tours and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in one-day races.

While the Tour de France will undoubtedly remain his primary goal, the inclusion of Classics in his schedule is a significant shift for Pogacar. His early years as a cyclist were predominantly centered around Grand Tours, but now, he is experimenting with different race formats. The monuments of cycling — like the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège — are races that require a completely different type of strategy, but Pogacar’s natural ability to read a race, make aggressive moves, and hold his own on the toughest terrains makes him a threat in these events. Many believe that 2025 could be the year he challenges for a Monument win for the first time.

Team Support and Tactics: The Pogacar Strategy

At the heart of Pogacar’s success is his exceptional team. UAE Team Emirates has supported his meteoric rise to the top, and their role will remain critical in his quest for continued success. Pogacar’s relationship with his teammates has always been symbiotic, with mutual trust and respect forming the foundation of their collective success. The team has evolved alongside Pogacar, tailoring its tactics and strategies to make the most of his strengths while supporting his ambition for even more.

However, it’s not just about the team that surrounds him; Pogacar himself has become a master tactician. His ability to read races, understand when to attack, and manage his energy reserves has made him a formidable force. Pogacar is known for his ability to time his attacks perfectly, turning seemingly impossible situations into victory, often by mere seconds. His time-trial performances — once a weak spot for many riders in stage races — have now become one of his greatest assets. This versatility, coupled with his mountain-climbing ability, is why he has no intention of slowing down.

The Mental Edge: What Makes Pogacar Tick

While Pogacar’s physical capabilities are extraordinary, it is his mental toughness that separates him from the pack. The pressure of living up to the hype and expectations can be overwhelming for any rider, but Pogacar thrives under it. He is known for his calm demeanor, which has been evident in some of the most tense moments of his career, such as during his Tour de France wins or in the final stages of the Giro.

This mental edge comes from Pogacar’s unique ability to compartmentalize and stay focused on the task at hand. He doesn’t get distracted by comparisons to past legends, nor does he allow himself to be consumed by the idea of securing a legacy. For Pogacar, it’s always about the next race, the next challenge, and how to improve from one day to the next. This relentless pursuit of excellence is what keeps him at the top and fuels his fire for 2025.

Conclusion: The Next Chapter of Pogacar’s Story

As Tadej Pogacar rolls into the UAE Tour to kick off his 2025 season, the cycling world will be watching closely. His motivation has never been higher, and his quest for more glory, whether in the Grand Tours or the one-day Classics, is a story that is far from finished. With the 2024 season behind him and another year of intense preparation ahead, the Slovenian cyclist is primed for even more history-making achievements.

Pogacar’s story is not just about victories and titles; it’s about his journey to redefine what is possible in cycling. As long as his motivation burns bright, there will be no limit to what he can achieve. The world of professional cycling is on the edge of its seat, eager to witness the next chapter in the career of one of the sport’s brightest stars. 2025 promises to be another blockbuster year for Tadej Pogacar — a year in which he will continue to inspire, entertain, and most importantly, deliver on the promise of greatness.