'I'm very motivated to fight for victory in San Remo and Roubaix' - Pogacar targets complete Monument set

Tadej Pogačar has revealed his ambitions to continue to expand his racing horizons with more Classics as well as his primary target of the Tour de France in future seasons, speaking to Marca at the MyWhoosh Esports Cycling World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

"I like challenges, and every year I try to change the program a bit," said Pogačar to Marca. "In the coming years, I don't want to end my career without having tried everything else. I want to try many new things."

Despite 20 victories in 2025, including three monuments, the Tour de France as well as the World and European double, all part of a record-breaking season for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Pogačar suggests there’s room for improvement, rating his season a 9 out of 10, a scary prospect in truth. "I think I can improve in certain areas, both on and off the bike. It can be better," said Pogačar.

When asked about his ambitions for next season, Pogačar confirmed that the Tour de France remains the primary goal, where he could win a record-equalling fifth yellow jersey in 2026. "I think going to the Tour again. It's quite obvious: it's the biggest race of all.”

However, as he has also made clear in the past, the World Champion has a burning desire to expand on his performances in the Classics. “But I also want to prove myself in the Classics, to show if I can improve in one-day races compared to this year or last. [Milan] San Remo and [Paris] Roubaix are two races that I am very motivated to try again and fight for the victory." Pogačar had to settle for 2nd and 3rd at San Remo and Roubaix respectively in 2025, behind Mathieu van der Poel on both occasions.

If Pogačar were to add Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix to his collection, he would become only the fourth rider in history to win all five Monuments, joining the Belgian trio of Rik Van Looy, Roger De Vlaeminck and Eddy Merckx. If he were to do so in the rainbow jersey, he would join Merckx as the only rider to win all five as World Champion.

The World Champion also addressed his rivalry with Jonas Vingegaard, with the Dane reportedly contemplating a Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double schedule, something which Pogačar attempted and was successful with in 2024.

"I always say that all cyclists, or anyone in any other sport, want to face the best possible rivals. I want to see all the competitors in their best form at the Tour de France or any other race," said Pogačar. "Over the last four years, Jonas has pushed me to another level in the Tour. It's essential to have him there every year."

When questioned about potentially retiring without winning the Vuelta a España, the final Grand Tour he hasn’t yet triumphed in, Pogačar admitted that whilst it’s a race he wants to win, it wouldn’t trouble him if he retired without doing so. "No, it doesn't obsess me. I want to go to the Vuelta, I want to compete, and of course, I want to win too. But if I ended my career today, I'd be quite happy."

Pogačar also shared his thoughts on the rising generation of cycling talent, including Isaac Del Toro and Paul Seixas. “The young riders now, like Paul Seixas or Isaac Del Toro, are impressive. I want to see how their careers develop. Perhaps it will be completely different from what I've experienced. I can't wait to follow their careers.”

Reflecting on his own meteoric rise in the sport, Pogačar noted differences compared with today's young stars. "I've been on a similar path, and it's very interesting to see them rise so quickly. In my case, it was a bit slower, but yes, it's very interesting to follow them and compete against them."