‘We’re doing everything we can’ – Tour Down Under boss reveals push to bring Tadej Pogacar back to Australia

The prospect of Tadej Pogačar lining up at the 2027 Tour Down Under is gathering interest, with race director Stuart O'Grady making no secret of his desire to bring cycling's biggest star back to Adelaide.

Speaking on the Stanley St. Social podcast, O'Grady revealed that he has been actively working to attract Pogačar to the Australian WorldTour opener, a race the Slovenian has not contested since making his debut in 2019.

"Of course, I'm doing everything we can to get the likes of Tadej here," O'Grady said.

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

Although there is no indication that Pogačar has committed to the race, O'Grady recalled that his agent, Alex Carera, visited the Tour Down Under during the final stage of the 2026 edition.

"Alex Carera was here for the last stage in January, just to have a look around and get his own view of the race," O'Grady explained.

The visit allowed Carera to experience the event's distinctive atmosphere and facilities firsthand, something O'Grady believes could help persuade Pogačar to return.

"For him to see the set-up we have with the village and the hotel, it's like, man, this is unbelievable," he said.

"You kind of have to see it for yourself. It's hard to explain when you're in a travelling circus all year round, going hotel to hotel. Here you're in the same hotel, there's a village out the front, there's a real buzz and a bit of fun on that side, and there's your team tents on this side, and just the connection you have with the whole community."

Pogačar finished 13th overall on his Tour Down Under debut in 2019, during his first season at WorldTour level, and has not returned to the Australian race since.

O'Grady's comments come less than a week after Michael Matthews told Domestiquethat Pogačar was interested in returning to the Tour Down Under.

Speaking on the Domestique Hotseat, the Australian, who is a close friend of Pogačar, suggested that another appearance in Adelaide was a realistic prospect, although he could not say when it might happen.

"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you see him there, that's for sure," Matthews said.

"It sounds like he's pretty excited about going in the future. When that is, I'm not exactly sure."

Combined with O'Grady's latest remarks and Carera's visit to Adelaide, they underline the ambition on the Australian side to secure one of the biggest possible names for the opening WorldTour race of the season.

The key question now is whether a trip to Australia would fit into Pogačar's plans for 2027.

The Slovenian has already identified his three main objectives for next season.

Speaking to Slovenian broadcaster RTV SLO last weekend, Pogačar named the Tour de France, World Championships and Vuelta a España as his principal targets.

"The goal for next year would obviously be the World Championships, combined with the Tour and the Vuelta," he said.

"Even though I'd rather ride the Giro, I'll have to tick off the Vuelta at some point too. I think that will be the goal for next year."

The Vuelta remains the only Grand Tour missing from Pogačar's palmarès after his 2026 campaign ended prematurely following a serious crash on stage 8.

He suffered a fractured and dislocated left collarbone, a cervical vertebra fracture and a concussion, ruling him out of the World Championships, European Championships and Il Lombardia.

Pogačar has since returned to training and revealed that he began preparing for 2027 around a month earlier than usual. He is also scheduled to appear at the BeKing charity criterium in Monaco on November 29, his first race appearance since the Vuelta crash.

O'Grady acknowledged that any decision on a January return would depend on Pogačar's recovery and preparations for the new season.

"Obviously, Tadej's crash, we're just hoping he recovers and he can get back to the level which we'll hope and pray that he can," he said.

The Australian also referred to the injuries sustained by Pogačar's partner, Urška Žigart, who suffered a serious crash of her own.

"We just want them to get better, and then if they decide that they want to start racing earlier, then of course we're going to welcome that and do what we can."

Should Pogačar return, he would face a revised Tour Down Under route that includes a different approach to Willunga Hill, one of the race's most recognisable climbs.

The 2027 edition will also see the men's and women's races share the same routes and distances across the final three stages.

O'Grady joked that Pogačar's presence might not be welcomed by Richie Porte, whose performances on Willunga Hill became one of the defining features of the race during his career.

"Richie Porte won't want him here, because that time might go," O'Grady said.

Whether Pogačar will make the journey to Australia remains uncertain. His major objectives for 2027 have been outlined, but neither the rider nor UAE Team Emirates-XRG has confirmed where he will begin his season.