Tadej Pogačar has been announced as an official ambassador for the 2031 UCI Cycling World Championships in Trentino, Italy, with the Slovenian star also expressing his desire to compete at the event.
The announcement gives Pogačar something to look forward to after a disappointing end to his 2026 season, which saw him miss major championship opportunities because of injury.
Pogačar was unveiled as a Global Ambassador for the Trentino 2031 project alongside fellow Slovenian cyclist Urška Žigart. The championships are expected to bring together the different disciplines of cycling in one major event, creating one of the sport’s biggest gatherings.
Speaking about the possibility of racing in Trentino in five years’ time, Pogačar admitted that he would love to still be competing at the highest level.
“I hope I will be there racing. It’s my dream to still be good then. But I’m not getting any younger,” Pogačar said.
The comment underlined the challenge facing the four-time Tour de France winner. By the time the 2031 championships arrive, Pogačar will be 33 years old, while a new generation of riders will have had time to establish themselves at the top of professional cycling.
Despite that, the Slovenian remains ambitious about his future and does not appear ready to look beyond his racing career.
The 2031 championships will be particularly significant for Trentino, with the region preparing to host a major multi-discipline cycling festival. The event is expected to feature road racing, track cycling, mountain biking, BMX, para-cycling and other disciplines.
For Pogačar, however, the focus is likely to be on whether he can still compete for the biggest prizes when the championships arrive.
His comments come after a difficult 2026 campaign. Pogačar suffered injuries in a crash during the Vuelta a España, forcing him to miss the World Championships and European Championships. He had been expected to be one of the leading contenders at the European event before his injury ruled him out.
The setback was particularly disappointing because the European Championships were being held in Slovenia, giving Pogačar the opportunity to compete in front of his home fans.
His recovery has since become the priority, with the rider gradually returning to training and looking ahead to the next stage of his career.
The Trentino announcement therefore provides a glimpse into Pogačar’s long-term ambitions. While 2031 remains five years away, the Slovenian has already made it clear that he would like to be on the starting line if his body and form allow it.
For now, his immediate objective is to recover fully and return to competition. But with Trentino 2031 now on his radar, Pogačar has another major cycling destination to look forward to.
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