'If anyone can do it, it's Pogacar' - Matxin on quest for sixth Tour victory

Speaking to AS, Matxin reflected on Pogačar joining Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain on five victories, and has backed the 27-year-old to continue rewriting the history books. 

"I grew up watching Indurain, and now, even if only in a small way, feeling like I played a part in this result is something very special,” Matxin told AS. 

“Tadej sits at the same table as all of them, and honestly, I don't think we fully grasp the significance of it yet. It will take time to truly appreciate what we've achieved."

Despite illness affecting several riders in the UAE camp during the Tour, including Brandon McNulty, Tim Wellens, Adam Yates, and even Isaac del Toro, Matxin said he never feared the race was slipping away from the Emirati team. 

"No. There are always solutions. There's a Plan A and a Plan B. There are always ways to stay ahead of circumstances, reshuffle riders, or switch to a more conservative strategy,” he said. 

Such was Pogačar’s dominance that the race leader was able to pivot into a luxury domestique role on the final Alpine stage to help Del Toro secure third overall and the white jersey. 

Naturally, with three Tours on the bounce and a significant winning margin in each, Matxin believes that a sixth Tour title is a more than realistic prospect, particularly given his age.

"Of course. He's 27 years old. We'll have to analyse each season and set of circumstances as they come, but if you're asking whether there could be a rider capable of winning six Tours, well, obviously, if anyone can do it, it's Pogačar," he said.

Pogačar himself was more cautious after securing his fifth Tour de France title in Paris, saying, "We finished one dream now, so let's not jump ahead. Let's enjoy this moment."