At last, it’s done. That was likely what Tadej Pogačar was thinking as he crossed the finish line in Paris to wrap up the 2025 Tour de France. Speaking at his final press conference, the Slovenian shared his reflections before stepping away from the intense spotlight he’s been under for weeks. He had already made it clear he was looking forward to a break. “Now it’s time to celebrate,” he said. “Everyone has their own way of doing that, but I like to keep it simple. I’m hoping for some good weather and a few quiet days at home.” He ended his speech on the podium with a playful nod, saying, “Maybe I’ll be back!”
At the press conference, he set a lighthearted tone. “No tough questions, please just some easy ones,” he joked. “Honestly, I was exhausted all week. But I’m not here to talk about setbacks; I just want to enjoy this moment in Paris.” When asked whether he ever worries about burnout, he answered candidly: “If that happens, I can always stop. But seriously, burnout is common in all sports mentally and physically. We cyclists train intensely, sometimes too intensely.”
He explained how the constant pursuit of improvement can lead to exhaustion. “You push and push, and before you know it, it’s October and you’re finally on vacation. Then December comes and it all starts over again. Burnout is real, and I’m not immune.”
Pogačar also reflected on his evolving relationship with Jonas Vingegaard and the Visma | Lease a Bike team. “Jonas seems to be opening up a bit more. We already noticed that during the Critérium du Dauphiné. I wouldn’t say we had deep conversations, but we did talk. He’s a great competitor, and I enjoy racing against him.”
“In Paris, during the neutral section, we talked about how we’ve been pushing each other at the Tour for the past five years. That’s something special for both of us.” As for a potential rematch at the Vuelta a España? “I’m not thinking about that yet. I just want to enjoy this moment. After that, we’ll see. My only confirmed targets for now are the World Championships and the Tour of Lombardy later this year.”
According to the Spanish newspaper AS, Pogačar won’t be racing the Vuelta. His team is expected to announce his remaining 2025 schedule on Wednesday, but reports suggest Juan Ayuso and João Almeida will lead the team instead.
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