Tadej Pogačar has confirmed that his main goals for the 2026 season with UAE Team Emirates-XRG are winning Paris-Roubaix for the first time and chasing a landmark fifth Tour de France title. The reigning world champion outlined a spring campaign built around the major Monuments, with plans to race the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, where he finished runner-up this year and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, before shifting focus to stage races in Switzerland ahead of the Tour de France.
If forced to choose between a maiden victory at Paris-Roubaix or a fifth Tour de France crown, Pogačar admitted he would opt for Roubaix. Having already won the Tour four times, he said the difference between winning Roubaix zero or once feels greater than moving from four to five Tour titles.
Speaking to selected media at a UAE Team Emirates-XRG training camp in Benidorm, Spain, Pogačar reflected on the historical significance of a potential fifth Tour win. That achievement would place him alongside Miguel Induráin, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx and Jacques Anquetil, while moving him ahead of Chris Froome, who also holds four titles.
At this year’s Tour de France, Pogačar finished ahead of Jonas Vingegaard and Florian Lipowitz, while Remco Evenepoel was forced to abandon on stage 14. Evenepoel, now riding for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, is expected to target the Tour in 2026 in a shared leadership role with Lipowitz. Asked whether that partnership concerned him, Pogačar dismissed the idea, saying the Tour always brings the strongest possible competition and demands full readiness every year.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s media day also revealed a notable change within the squad, as João Almeida announced he will skip the 2026 Tour de France to focus on the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. As a result, Pogačar will be without one of his key climbing domestiques, but he will be supported by Isaac del Toro, who is set to make his Tour de France debut.
Pogačar spoke highly of Del Toro’s potential, praising his individuality and approach to racing, and expressing hope that the young rider continues to develop while enjoying the sport.
The Slovenian enjoyed another exceptional season, claiming 20 victories, including his fourth Tour de France title, a second Tour of Flanders win, a third Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory, overall success at the Critérium du Dauphiné, consecutive world road race titles, the European road race championship, and a record-equalling fifth triumph at Il Lombardia.
His 2026 programme will begin with Strade Bianche, followed by Milan-San Remo, Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse, before turning fully toward the Tour de France. Pogačar said he is excited by the structure of the season and the fresh challenges it presents.
One of the standout moments of his spring campaign was finishing second on his Paris-Roubaix debut behind Mathieu van der Poel. A recent 160km reconnaissance ride over the cobbled sectors during which he tested new equipment signaled his serious intent to return in 2026. Pogačar described the ride as productive and encouraging, noting good conditions, strong sensations on the pavé and a valuable learning experience.
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