Tadej Pogačar’s dominance was the defining story of recent cycling seasons, and there is little to suggest that narrative will change in 2026. When UAE Team Emirates-XRG unveiled the Slovenian’s race programme at their media day in Benidorm on Saturday, the message was clear: this is a calendar designed not to manage expectations, but to maintain motivation during a period of sustained supremacy.
The would-be greatest of all time still draws attention wherever he goes, even if the reaction is more subdued than the frenzy that follows global icons in other sports. Lionel Messi may spark riots on a commercial tour of India, but Pogačar’s appearance at the Sheraton in Benidorm passed without flying seats or raised voices. For a rider who routinely makes the extraordinary look routine, that calm felt oddly fitting.
A Muted Media Day, Until Pogačar Arrived
Before Pogačar took his place at the top table, João Almeida and Isaac del Toro had already presented their respective 2026 schedules. Their appearances were informative but low-key, delivered with the restrained enthusiasm of students reciting a syllabus. Attempts to inject colour into proceedings were gently rebuffed, leaving the assembled press waiting for the main event.
Many journalists had spent the preceding days touring nearby training camps, speaking with some of the peloton’s most engaging personalities. Against that backdrop, the contrast was stark. Pogačar may be the sport’s brightest star, but his patience for the travelling media circus has clearly waned. That weariness was visible during the closing stages of the Tour de France and appears to have lingered into the off-season.
A Champion Less Interested in the Theatre
Recent reporting has highlighted the increasingly transactional nature of Pogačar’s public appearances. He remains polite, cooperative and professional, but insight is rarely volunteered. In Benidorm, expectations were modest: journalists hoped for clarity on his 2026 race programme rather than revelations about his inner life.
They were not disappointed on the former, if somewhat left wanting on the latter. Once the calendar had been confirmed, discussion turned to a familiar parlour game: which races Pogačar still “needs” to win to complete cycling.
When asked to choose between Paris-Roubaix and another Tour de France victory, his response was telling. Having already won the Tour four times, he pointed out that the leap from zero to one carries more weight than the difference between four and five. It was a reminder that even in dominance, ambition still matters.
The Inevitability of More Wins
Such is Pogačar’s supremacy that victories in Milan–San Remo and Paris-Roubaix — the two Monuments missing from his palmarès — feel less like long-term dreams and more like postponed certainties. Likewise, anything other than victory in the three stage races currently pencilled into his 2026 schedule — the Tour de Romandie, the Tour de Suisse and the Tour de France — would register as a genuine shock.
That, paradoxically, is the problem. In 2024 and 2025, Pogačar arrived at races, rode away from his rivals and won with unsettling ease. The story lacked jeopardy. Only Jonas Vingegaard has truly disrupted the narrative since Pogačar emerged as a Tour winner in 2020.
The Vingegaard Rivalry and the Missing Conflict
Vingegaard’s Tour de France victories in 2022 and 2023 exposed rare vulnerabilities in Pogačar, creating a rivalry that elevated both riders and enriched the sport. But over the past two seasons, Pogačar has seemingly eliminated those weaknesses, reasserting his authority to the point where Vingegaard is reportedly considering a Giro d’Italia debut in 2026.
Whether or not the Dane lines up in Italy, he is still expected to defend his status at the Tour. Pogačar, for his part, insists he wants to face the strongest possible opposition.
“When you’re an athlete, you always want to fight the best,” he said. “It confirms the victory if everybody is there at 100%.”
Still, Pogačar also understands that he cannot dictate his rivals’ choices. His role, as the sport’s leading figure, is to show up — especially at the Tour de France — regardless of personal ambivalence.
A 2026 Calendar Built for Motivation
The structure of Pogačar’s 2026 season reflects that reality. The Tour de France remains the immovable centrepiece, but the rest of the calendar appears carefully designed to keep him mentally engaged.
The early part of the season is devoted entirely to one-day racing, his favoured terrain. He begins at Strade Bianche, where he will chase a record-breaking fourth victory, before tackling Milan–San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Remarkably for a Tour favourite, Pogačar will not ride a stage race until late April’s Tour de Romandie. His final warm-up comes at the revamped five-day Tour de Suisse, replacing the more familiar Critérium du Dauphiné.
According to UAE sports manager Matxin Joxean Fernandez, the reasoning is simple: variety. Even serial winners can tire of repeating the same script.
Fewer Race Days, More Possibilities
Pogačar’s lighter early-season schedule means he will reach the end of the Tour de France with around 37 race days in his legs, significantly fewer than in previous years. That opens the door — at least theoretically — to a Vuelta a España appearance, something he skipped in 2025 due to fatigue.
The decision, Matxin explained, will be made after the Tour based on how Pogačar feels. The same applies to the World Championships, with flexibility built into the latter half of the season.
Perhaps the most intriguing news from Benidorm, however, concerned Isaac del Toro.
Isaac del Toro and UAE’s Succession Plan
Del Toro will make his Tour de France debut in 2026 in support of Pogačar, a move Matxin jokingly described as the “perfection connection.” At just 22, the Mexican rider came within a single mountain pass of winning the Giro d’Italia this year, marking him out as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
While the hierarchy for July is clear, Del Toro’s inclusion suggests UAE Team Emirates-XRG are already thinking beyond the present. Pogačar himself spoke warmly of his teammate, praising both his riding style and his character.
Does Pogačar Still Love Cycling?
The question that continues to hover over Pogačar’s career is not whether he can keep winning, but whether he still enjoys the process. Fame brings obligations, and cycling’s globalisation has turned champions into full-time public figures.
Yet small details offer reassurance. On Saturday morning, Pogačar eagerly set off early on a group ride, forcing teammates to chase him down. Later, he reflected on his journey with a rare hint of introspection.
“I start to realise that we’re making something great,” he said. “I enjoy that process, and I hope I don’t stop writing this book.”
For now, at least, the pages keep turning — and 2026 looks set to be another chapter defined by dominance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What races will Tadej Pogačar ride in 2026?
Pogačar’s 2026 programme includes Strade Bianche, Milan–San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tour de Romandie, the Tour de Suisse and the Tour de France. A decision on the Vuelta a España will be made after the Tour.
Why is Pogačar skipping the Critérium du Dauphiné?
UAE Team Emirates-XRG opted for variety, replacing the Dauphiné with the Tour de Suisse to give Pogačar fresh motivation and a chance to win races not already on his palmarès.
Is Jonas Vingegaard still Pogačar’s main rival?
Yes. Vingegaard remains the only rider to consistently challenge Pogačar at the Tour de France, and their rivalry continues to shape the sport’s biggest race.
Will Isaac del Toro ride the Tour de France in 2026?
Yes. Del Toro is set to make his Tour debut in support of Pogačar, signalling UAE’s long-term succession planning.
Has Tadej Pogačar lost motivation after so much success?
While he appears less enthusiastic about media duties, Pogačar has shown continued enjoyment in training and racing. His 2026 calendar suggests a deliberate effort to keep him mentally engaged.
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