Tadej Pogačar: The Making of a Modern Cycling Legend

When you follow professional cycling, certain names become shorthand for greatness. In the last few years, Tadej Pogačar has become one of those names. He burst onto the scene with a stunning victory at the 2020 Tour de France at just 21 years old, and since then, he has only continued to raise the bar. But what makes Pogačar truly special goes beyond the palmarès. It’s the way he races, the way he recovers from setbacks, and the sheer versatility he brings to every Grand Tour.
Born in Komenda, Slovenia, in 1998, Pogačar grew up in a country that, until recently, wasn’t considered a cycling powerhouse. Yet Slovenia has produced two of the greatest riders of the modern era: Pogačar and Primož Roglič. Pogačar’s early career showed promise, but few predicted he would conquer the Tour de France in his first appearance. His victory in 2020 was dramatic—he overturned a 57-second deficit to Roglič in the final time trial, a stage that will be remembered for decades.
What sets Pogačar apart from other Grand Tour contenders is his ability to excel in almost every type of stage. He can climb with the purest climbers, time trial with the specialists, and even sprint for stage wins. In the 2024 Tour de France, he won six stages, showing that he is not just a general classification rider but a racer who attacks whenever he sees an opportunity. His aggressive style has won him a legion of fans who appreciate the spectacle he brings to the sport.
His rivalry with Jonas Vingegaard has defined the last few Tours. In 2022, Vingegaard defeated Pogačar in a battle of attrition, and many wondered if the Slovenian could bounce back. He did so in 2023, winning the Tour again, and then in 2024, he dominated even more convincingly. This back-and-forth has made the Tour de France must-watch television, with each rider pushing the other to new heights.
Beyond the Tour, Pogačar has also won the Tour of Flanders, a Monument classic, proving that he is not just a stage racer. He has set his sights on winning all five Monuments, and at 25, he has plenty of time to achieve that. His 2024 season also included victories at the Giro d’Italia, making him the first rider since Marco Pantani to win the Giro-Tour double in the same year. This rare achievement solidifies his place in cycling history.
For fans looking to understand his training and mindset, Pogačar is known for his calm demeanor and meticulous preparation. He lives in Monaco but often trains in the high mountains of Slovenia. He works closely with his team, UAE Team Emirates, to fine-tune every detail, from nutrition to aerodynamics. Yet he also seems to enjoy the racing itself, often smiling on the bike and chatting with rivals during the flat stages.
As he enters his prime years, the question is not whether Pogačar can win more Tours, but how many. If he stays healthy, he could challenge the records of Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain. His combination of talent, work ethic, and youth makes him a once-in-a-generation athlete.
Whether you are a long-time cycling fan or a newcomer, following Tadej Pogačar’s career is a privilege. He races with a joy that is infectious and a determination that is relentless. And every time he pins on a number, there is a chance we will see something we have never seen before.