'I wouldn't be surprised' – Michael Matthews hints at potential Tour Down Under return for Tadej Pogacar

Could Tadej Pogacar finally return at the Tour Down Under after making his debut at the race in 2019? According to close friend Michael Matthews, the prospect is a realistic one, with the Slovenian apparently keen to experience racing in Australia once more.

Speaking on the Domestique Hotseat, Matthews suggested that Pogačar has expressed an interest in making the trip, although there is no indication yet of when it might happen.

"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you see him there, that's for sure," Matthews said when asked about the possibility of bringing his friend to the Australian summer.

"It sounds like he's pretty excited about going in the future. When that is, I'm not exactly sure."

Pogačar last raced the Tour Down Under in 2019, making a potential appearance in Adelaide a significant prospect for the Australian event.

While Matthews stopped short of suggesting that a return was imminent, his comments offer an intriguing insight into the Slovenian's interest in adding Australia to his racing schedule.

Matthews himself remains uncertain about his own participation in the upcoming Australian summer, with his programme still to be finalised.

"That's another question we're going to speak to the team about at the end of this month," he said.

"For me personally, I'm not exactly sure yet. We'll see at the end of this month what the team wants to do and which way we go."

Matthews and Pogačar share a close friendship, but that relationship has never diminished the Australian's ambition to beat the Slovenian on the bike.

With Milan-Sanremo once again among his biggest targets for next season, Matthews knows that overcoming Pogačar could be one of the major obstacles standing between him and a long-awaited Monument victory.

"Tadej, he's one of my best friends and he's obviously a superstar of our sport and forever will be," Matthews explained.

"But at the same time, he's also another competitor. Another guy that I would like to race against and push my level to see where I can get to."

Matthews believes that maintaining the conviction he can win against the sport's strongest riders is essential, even when the odds appear stacked against him.

"I think for me I need to believe that I can win. Otherwise what's motivating me to go out training?"

"Obviously I knew that I was going to be up against it with him. But unless you believe you can do it, what's the point in leading a team? What's the point in getting everyone out there and getting them all fired up to support you if you don't believe you can do it yourself?"

The Australian insists that competing against Pogačar is something he relishes.

"I love to win and I love to compete against the best. Whether I could or would have, at the same time I was willing to give it everything I have."

Matthews had identified Milan-Sanremo as one of his biggest objectives for 2026, but his preparations were derailed by a serious training crash in March that left him with extensive injuries.

In his absence, Pogačar finally conquered the Italian Monument, claiming his first Milan-Sanremo victory after a thrilling sprint against Tom Pidcock. The Slovenian's triumph ended years of near misses and left Paris-Roubaix as the only Monument missing from his palmarès.

The Australian subsequently mounted an impressive comeback, culminating in a silver medal at the World Championships.

That performance has strengthened his belief that he still has the ability to fight for victory in one of cycling's biggest races.

"After this year with how everything went, obviously I want to have another good crack at it," Matthews said of Milan-Sanremo.

"Showing the level I can still get to, I think it's pretty exciting to see what's possible again next year."

Matthews acknowledged that time is becoming an increasingly important factor as he approaches the final years of his career.

"Obviously I'm not young anymore. I'm running out of chances, but at the same time, I think the level that I got to this year was quite impressive."

"I still believe it's possible to fight for the victory there. Obviously to win it is going to take a special day, but I believe that day will eventually come for me."

During the interview, Matthews also discussed Pogačar's recovery from the crash that disrupted his season and prevented him from defending his European title.

According to Matthews, the Slovenian had been eager to return to competition, but his medical team felt he needed more time.

"If you ask him, he was ready to go. If you ask the team doctor, they were saying no," Matthews revealed.

"It's difficult because us athletes, when you have a clear goal that you want to achieve, there's not many things that can stop you from giving it everything."

Matthews suggested that the collarbone injury was no longer the primary concern by the time the European Championships approached.

"The collarbone was pretty much healed, but I think there was something else with the crash that was sort of holding him back a little bit."

The Australian also offered a glimpse into how his friend has dealt with the disappointment of missing major objectives.

"I think initially he was struggling with it all, but honestly he seems super happy now."

"He just loves racing his bike. I think obviously breaking different records and all this is not really his biggest interest. He just loves competing against the best guys and having fun."

It is an attitude Matthews clearly admires.

"I think he's a great role model for all of us. Sometimes when things are hard, just put a smile on your face and do what you love to do and give it your best. I think I also learn stuff from this guy every day."

Listen to the full Hotseat episode with Michael Matthews 👇