Tadej Pogacar reveals he would rather win his first Paris-Roubaix than a fifth Tour de France
Published 13/12/2025 at 18:39 GMT
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Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) has revealed that he would rather win Paris-Roubaix for the first time in his career than a fifth Tour de France during the 2026 season. The Slovenian cyclist has also announced his schedule for an action-packed first half of the 2026 season. The 27-year-old finished second in Paris-Roubaix last year behind Mathieu van der Poel.
Pogacar, Van der Poel, Pedersen - Best finishes from 2025
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tadej Pogacar has revealed that he would rather win his first Paris-Roubaix than a fifth Tour de France ahead of an action-packed 2026 season.
The Slovenian cyclist came out on top in the Tour de France in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025, but is yet to win Paris-Roubaix during his illustrious career.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider Pogacar made his debut in the iconic event this year, finishing in second place behind Mathieu van der Poel, who stormed to victory for the third successive time.
The 27-year-old says that winning a race for the first time means more than taking victory in one on five occasions.
"I think I would choose the Roubaix," he admitted after being asked which of the famous events he would prefer to win in the 2026 season.
"I have won the Tour de France four times.
"I think there is a bigger difference between zero and one than four and five.
"If it would come to choosing, if I could start one and the other or the Roubaix was at the same time as the Tour, I think it would come down to a decision from the team as to which one I do.
"I don't see another way where I would compromise one or the other."
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Pedersen says critics should 'shut their mouths'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pogacar enjoyed another successful season in 2025, claiming his second UCI Road World Championships title and his first European Road Cycling Championship.
Pogacar’s plans for the first half of the 2026 campaign are now public knowledge.
The four-time Tour winner will compete at Italy’s Strade Bianche and Milano-Sanremo.
He will also be in action in Belgium, taking part in the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, either side of his second appearance at Paris-Roubaix.
He will follow up his trips to Belgium and France with two races in Switzerland.
Pogacar will be involved in the Tour de Romandie, before going head-to-head with some of the best riders in the world at the Tour de Suisse.
His schedule will also see him try to win the Tour de France for a fifth time in his career.
The 2026 Paris-Roubaix will get underway in Compiegne on April 12.
The race, which is famous for its cobblestones, will come to its conclusion in Roubaix.
Mads Pedersen completed the podium at the 2025 edition of the race, finishing in third.
Pogacar’s hopes of winning the race for the first time suffered a blow after he crashed with just 40km to go.
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Despite revealing his schedule for the first half of the 2026 season, Pogacar insists that things can always change.
He even suggested that he still may take part in the La Vuelta, which will get underway on August 22.
"I can't guarantee anything, honestly," he added.
"With my mind, I can decide in a second to do something that will collapse all of the calender.
"Even the Vuelta, everything is open until they close the sign on.
Watch and stream the 2026 cycling season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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