Pogacar’s biggest Tour de France weapon is no longer just his power, says UAE sports manager Matxín

Pogačar heads into July after a dominant spring in which he won Strade Bianche, Milan-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse.

Speaking to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Matxín said the Slovenian’s tactical maturity could prove decisive as he targets a historic fifth Tour de France title.

"It is no longer just a question of being very strong," Matxín said to Mundo Deportivo. "He is always attentive, acting as a true leader. For me, that is the most significant thing about Tadej. He races well and reads situations perfectly."

That awareness was on display at the Tour de Suisse, where Pogačar won three stages and the general classification. His victories included a 69 kilometre solo attack on the opening day and another decisive move on the final stage at Villars-sur-Ollon.

According to Matxín, Pogačar increasingly wears down his rivals through positioning, timing and split second decision making, rather than simply overpowering them.

"He has spectacular legs, yes, but he executes race situations with a brilliant vision. He is never out of place."

UAE endured a disrupted spring, with illness, infections and crashes affecting several riders. João Almeida, Brandon McNulty, Jonathan Narváez, Isaac Del Toro, Tim Wellens and Jay Vine were among those whose preparations were interrupted.

Despite those setbacks, Matxín said the team’s final eight rider Tour de France lineup has been decided and is balanced enough to handle every type of stage.

Pogačar’s preparation contrasts sharply with that of his main rival, Jonas Vingegaard. The Slovenian will start the Tour with only 16 days of competitive racing in his legs this season. Vingegaard has already completed 36 race days after winning the Giro d'Italia.

Matxín praised the Dane for an efficient Giro victory, saying he won "without an enormous, stressful effort," setting up another potentially close battle in July.

Looking at the 2026 route, Matxín identified the Tourmalet stage and the stages immediately following the rest days as possible early separation points. The race will then be decided by three major mountain tests in the final week.

But for Matxín, Pogačar’s leadership extends beyond the way he reads and controls races. Despite his status as the biggest star in the sport, the 27- year-old remains closely involved with his teammates and staff during training camps.

"He worries about his teammates and the staff. He's at the camp and he hangs his own laundry, he even cooks dinner. Only a genuine leader does things like that. Tadej is a normal guy who happens to win races extraordinarily well. He wants to stay normal."

That focus on life outside cycling has also shaped Pogačar’s final preparations for the Tour.

After his partner, Urška Žigart, suffered a fractured jaw in a serious crash at the Tour de Suisse Women earlier this month, UAE decided to cancel Pogačar’s final altitude camp and send him home.

"He needs to be with Urška right now," Matxín explained. "Having family stability before the Tour is crucial. He knows exactly when he needs to train at altitude and when he needs to be at home recharging his batteries morally. We are a family, and there's complete unity on what he needs at any given moment."

Pogačar will begin his pursuit of a fifth Tour de France victory on July 4, when the race opens in Barcelona with a 19 kilometre team time trial. Victory would see him equal the all time record held by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.