Pogacar’s advice guides Pablo Torres as he prepares for a steadier 2026 season

Speaking to MARCA, Pablo Torres looked back on a season that moved faster than he could fully process. “Sometimes you do not even realise where you are because everything happens so quickly,” he said. The 20 year-old has gone from junior racing to sharing a team with riders he only watched on television and he is slowly learning to take that in.

He begins the new year feeling strong and motivated. “I want to start the season with calm and do the work step by step, but done well,” he said. The first training camp in Abu Dhabi reinforced that mindset. Spending time with teammates helped him disconnect and strengthen relationships. “It was a very fun experience and I enjoyed it a lot.”

He admitted that his WorldTour debut season came with challenges. “It was a very big jump and sometimes things did not go the best way”. Even so, his best result was a third place in the overall classification of the Giro d’Abruzzo, while seventh at the Tour de l’Avenir, 22nd at the Tour Down Under and 23rd at the Tour de Romandie are also worth mentioning.

That made him one of only nine riders on UAE Team Emirates who did not take a victory in the squad’s extraordinary 95 win season.

Although the results may not have been what he had hoped for, he considers the year an important step in his development. He learned and he feels he matured as a rider.

This winter he is trying to improve across the board. The focus is slightly more on explosiveness. His trust in coach Javier Sola is absolute. “He is one of the best coaches in the world and you always have to listen to him,” Torres said. 

He also values the presence of UAE-manager Matxin, who he describes as experienced and attentive. “He is always asking how we are and how we feel which creates calm inside the team.”

That sense of calm is a driver in his progression. Torres explains that the team does not demand numbers or results. “They tell me to take things with tranquility and do things well but with patience because results come in time.” He recognises that he tends to rush, but appreciates the reminder to slow down.

Riding alongside Pogačar was a moment that stayed with him. “It is a dream. He has been my idol since I started riding,” he said. Pogačar shared advice that Torres repeats often. “He tells me that you have to take things calmly and enjoy cycling.” It is a message he is carrying into the new season.

His calendar is still unknown. He hopes for a chance to ride his first Grand Tour. “I would love to. It would be a pleasure,” he said, but acknowledges that spots are limited. 

What Torres really wants, is steady progress. “I want to feel more comfortable in races and get good results with regularity,” he said. A first victory would be a dream even if he knows how difficult it is. 

Over a longer horizon he hopes to become a rider people consider a favourite when watching races. “It is my dream and I work every day for it.”