Pogacar names Van der Poel, Evenepoel and Vingegaard among his favourite riders: 'They always deliver'

During a community ride on MyWhoosh, Pogačar was asked by a fan to name his favourite rider in the professional peloton. The Slovenian was reluctant to pick just one, instead singling out three of his biggest rivals.

"I don't know. I really admire a lot of riders that are riding now. I have a big competitors' field," Pogačar said.

"But I really, really admire Mathieu van der Poel, Remco [Evenepoel] and Jonas [Vingegaard], how determined they are to do big things, and they always deliver."

It was a notable choice of names, given how frequently the trio have stood between Pogačar and some of cycling's biggest prizes.

Vingegaard has been his fiercest opponent in the Tour de France, beating him to the yellow jersey in both 2022 and 2023. Van der Poel, meanwhile, has emerged as one of his main adversaries in the spring Classics, with the pair repeatedly going head to head in races such as the Tour of Flanders, Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix.

Evenepoel, meanwhile, has mainly challenged Pogačar in individual time trials, most notably at the 2025 World Championships in Rwanda, where the Belgian caught and passed him on his way to a third consecutive world title against the clock. In road races, however, the Slovenian has generally had the upper hand.

Pogačar also had words of praise for his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Brandon McNulty, who claimed the world title in Montreal earlier this year.

"Brandon really deserved his victory. He worked so hard for his career, and obviously he worked hard also for my goals in the past," Pogačar said.

It would not be the first time Pogačar has helped McNulty to victory. At the 2025 GP de Montréal, the Slovenian waited for his teammate in the finale before allowing him to cross the finish line first, with the pair celebrating a one-two finish.

The American has played an important supporting role in several of Pogačar's biggest victories, but the Slovenian suggested he could return the favour again in 2027.

"There's a chance that tables will turn, and I will help Brandon in some races so the jersey can shine."

McNulty recently told Domestique that winning the rainbow jersey would not significantly change his role at UAE, with another appearance alongside Pogačar at the Tour de France among his priorities for next season.

UAE sports manager Matxin Joxean Fernández expressed a similar view, although he stressed that the world champion would continue to have opportunities to lead the team.

"Of course, we have to show respect for the world champion, and he'll have his space, but we also have Tadej Pogačar," Matxin told Domestique.