Indurain praises Pogacar's mentality as key factor for 2026 Tour de France
In an interview with Marca ahead of the Tour de France, Miguel Induráin outlined one reason why he believes Tadej Pogacar is so exceptional and also discussed the pressure surrounding Paul Seixas’ Grand Tour debut.
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Former five-time Tour de France champion Miguel Induráin has called Tadej Pogačar the favourite for the 2026 edition, citing the World Champion’s strong morale as a crucial factor.
“Pogačar is the favourite. Mentally, he’s very strong, and so is his team. These days, in sport, everyone is on the same physical level,” Induráin told Marca.
“The one who makes the difference is the one with the strongest morale, the one who feels most at ease. And you can see that Pogačar enjoys what he does," said Induráin.
Pogačar has won the previous two editions of the Tour, and the World Champion is looking to win a record-equalling fifth Tour this summer, which would put him in an exclusive club alongside Induráin, Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault.
Induráin expects the Tour to be no walkover for Pogačar, given the nature of the beast, but the former Spanish icon has no doubt that the World Champion has all the tools in his locker to navigate the chaos of the Tour once more.
“The Tour has to run its course. There are always pitfalls, crashes and tricky situations. And the rest will be waiting to give him a hard time whenever they can. Although in difficult moments, he handles it very well,” he said.
Meanwhile, another major storyline heading into the 2026 Tour is the debut of 19-year-old Paul Seixas, who will become the youngest starter since Adrien Cento in 1937.
Seixas has already displayed his immense talent on numerous occasions in 2026 and thus carries the hopes of the home nation on his shoulders despite his lack of Grand Tour experience.
Induráin admits that he feels it is a bold decision for Seixas to make his Tour debut this July, but is intrigued to see how the French teenager can handle the pressure and hopes of a nation that hasn't seen a home winner of the men's race since Bernard Hinault in 1985.
“He’s a bit young to compete in a Grand Tour. But that’s the way sport is. Young riders are taking the reins earlier and earlier. He’s got the whole of France behind him,” said Induráin.
“We’ll have to see how he copes with that pressure. We’ll see what happens, but he’s got the legs to fight for the Tour.”
The 2026 Tour kicks off with a team time trial in Barcelona on July 4, where early differences in the GC will be made, and Induráin knows better than most how important a race against the clock can be.
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