Tadej Pogacar reveals surprising plans for life after cycling: 'Maybe a coffee shop somewhere nice'

Tadej Pogačar may still have plenty of ambitions left in professional cycling, but the Slovenian superstar is already imagining what life could look like once he finally hangs up his racing bike.

In POG1 – The Making of a Legend, a documentary by Colnago exploring his career and life away from competition, Pogačar reveals that his plans for retirement could involve taking an extended break, opening a coffee shop and dedicating more time to helping others through his charitable foundation.

"I don't know what my dream would be now after the bike," Pogačar admits.

"I guess when I finish my career, I take maybe one year off or something, just enjoy doing nothing."

For a rider who has spent much of his professional career competing for victories at the sport's biggest races, the idea of stepping away from the spotlight appears to hold a certain appeal.

"Maybe some coffee shop somewhere in a nice location, and have a life outside of all the attention as well," he adds.

While Pogačar has become one of the most recognisable faces in professional cycling, the documentary reveals that he is keen to maintain a sense of normality away from racing.

His partner, fellow professional cyclist Urška Žigart, describes how his relaxed personality contrasts with the intensity he displays on the bike.

"In daily life, he's a bit more stress-free," she explains.

"He plans more about his races than he plans about daily life. He's often saying, 'Don't worry. Everything will fall into place.' But sometimes I have to make sure that things fall into place."

For Pogačar, maintaining that separation between sport and personal life has become increasingly important.

He acknowledges that the demanding racing calendar can make it difficult to spend time together.

"Sometimes it gets difficult with the tough calendars, going from race to race, and then sometimes we miss each other as well," Pogačar says.

"It's really important to find the time for yourself or the family, and not to be completely obsessed with the career," he adds.

"Because you need to do something else after that. Life goes on, and there needs to be balance, always."

Beyond the possibility of opening a coffee shop, Pogačar also sees a future in expanding his involvement with projects that support young cyclists and people facing difficult circumstances.

Through the Pogi Team, which builds on the Slovenian cycling club where he developed as a youngster, he hopes to give children opportunities similar to those he enjoyed growing up.

Pogačar recalls how important it was that his childhood club provided him with the equipment he needed to pursue cycling.

"Luckily, I had the team to give me the bike and jersey, shoes, helmets. Otherwise, I would not be sitting here right now," he explains.

He hopes the initiative will continue to grow and make cycling more accessible to children who might otherwise struggle with the costs of the sport.

His charitable foundation represents another important part of his plans.

"Once I stop with cycling, maybe I can be involved even more in the foundation and help more," he says.

"Life is not fair, and some people have a lot and some people not. And why not, if I can help?"