“I count the years before retirement” … Winner of the last Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar already admits to think about the end of his career

Reigning world champion and quadruple winner of the big loop, the Slovenian spoke of his future on the sidelines of a criterium on his land on Saturday.

It is not a secret, Tadej Pogacar cannot be extended in the peloton. At 26, the winner of the last Tour de France, two weeks ago, recalled him again, Saturday August 9, on the sidelines of a criterium organized at his home, around Komenda where he grew up in Slovenia. “I already count the years that separate me from retirement. I started winning early, and there can be worse results, I'm ready for anything “, explained the current world champion in remarks reported by the local media Rtvslobefore logically winning at home. He said at the end of July to The team Project yourself to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, at least.

“I will probably participate in a few rounds, even if you can never guarantee that we will participate. The tour is the biggest race and I doubt that the team leaves me at home for a few more years, Added the one under contract until 2030 with UAE Team Emirates XRG. I am happy to be back home, to be able to see my friends, my neighbors, my family. It is true that sometimes I would like to be a little less famous, sometimes taking photos and signing autographs is tiring, other times a little less, but I try to please everyone “.

During the last large loop, where he gleaned four stages victories before winning a fourth coronation (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025), “Pogi” sometimes appeared tired and tired. “”Anyone can have a bad day. We cannot expect me to shine with happiness during the 21 stages. The tour was very difficult, one of the hardest I have run, all those who fought for the general classification can confirm it. Now, I have rested, I gave up and I am ready for new battles “, He said on Saturday, when he gave up aligning himself on the Vuelta.

The runner with the 104 professional victories is expected to the Canadian classics: on the Quebec Grand Prix, which lacks his record, then that of Montreal in September. He will then defend his rainbow jersey at the Rwandan Worlds, then should participate in the European championships dedicated to climbers in early October between Privas (Drôme) and Valencia (Ardèche), to finish his season at the Lombardy Tour.