Tadej Pogacar turns heads in Monaco as he ramps up his winter training

Tadej Pogačar is already back in training while most other professional riders are enjoying an end-of-season holiday and time off the bike.

The Slovenian was filmed riding through traffic at speed on his home roads in Monte Carlo on Friday by Noah Alfrink, a French junior who posts about his riding and racing on social media.

"Guys, I found some cyclists in Monaco. I don't know who they are but they look pretty strong," Noah joked on Instagram after taking a selfie with Pogačar and following him in the traffic.     

Pogačar was riding with Josh Tarling of Netcompany-Ineos in the streets of Monte Carlo. He used his speed to cut through traffic, with Alfrink describing it as 'Unreal pacing.' Pogačar is no longer the world or European champion and so is riding in the team-issued UAE colours.

The Slovenian crashed out of the Vuelta on August 29 and only returned to outdoor riding a month later. He suffered a concussion, a fractured collarbone and an injury to his cervical vertebrae and subsequently underwent surgery on his shoulder. He was tempted to ride the European Championships on home roads in Slovenia but was convinced by his UAE Team Emirates-XRG management to opt for a careful and gradual recovery.

"I was able to rest a little longer but I'll also start training earlier than I normally would. I'll begin about a month earlier,” he told Slovenian broadcaster RTV Slovenija in early October as he spent time at home for a charity event and watched the European Championships.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has questioned if Pogačar will dominate the 2027 Tour de France due to the consequences of his crash at the Vuelta but he seems determined to return to his best as soon as possible.

Pogačar will join his UAE teammates in the Middle East for a get-together next week, with the team celebrating Pogačar's fifth Tour victory and other successes at the Abu Dhabi Cycling Festival on October 31.

There are reports that Pogačar may decide to start his 2027 racing season early after his early return to training.

Tour Down Under race director Stuart O'Grady has revealed his efforts to convince Tadej Pogačar to race in Australia in January 2027.

"Of course, I'm doing everything we can to get the likes of Tadej here," O'Grady told the Stanley St. Social podcast.

"It's hard to go past how big this guy is, and we all want to see him race here again."