Discover Tadej Pogačar’s ambitious racing plans for 2026, including his quest for a historic fifth Tour de France title and a first victory at Paris-Roubaix, the ‘Hell of the North.’ Learn about his upcoming Classics schedule, stage race focus, and insights into his training, team decisions, and key rivals like Remco Evenepoel. Stay updated on the latest cycling news with this comprehensive overview of one of the sport’s biggest stars aiming for record-breaking achievements. Keywords: Tadej Pogačar, Paris-Roubaix 2026, Tour de France 2026, cycling news, Classics, stage races, UAE Team Emirates, World Champion, cycling strategy, pro cycling, cycling goals.
Bold truth. Tatage Pagakar is aiming to seal a Paris Ruba victory and capture a historic fifth tour to France shaping his 2026 calendar around these targets. The world champion outlined a spring that centers on the classics tour of Flanders Paris Rubet where he finished second this year and Lee Baston lege before shifting focus to stage races that lead to another yellow jersey bid at the tour to Romanai and tour to Swiss all with UAE team Emirates XRG in 2026. When asked to choose between finally winning Paris Rub for the first time and clinching a fifth tour to France, Pagakar made a clear call. He would prefer Rube, explaining that after four titles, the jump from 0 to one is more meaningful than the leap from four to five. This perspective highlights how chasing new milestones can feel more compelling than tying a record. The writer spoke to Select Media at a team training camp press conference in Benodorm, Alakanti, Spain, where he confirmed his plan schedule for 2026. With four tour titles already, matching the all-time greats would require another victory at Lour. But even entering parody would place him among a whooo of cycling legends like Indult Merks and Anquitil. At this year’s tour, Pagakar topped Jonas Vinggard and Florian Lipawitz while Remco Napole abandoned on the challenging call due to amid a season of close battles between the two riders in major 1-day races. Iapole has since moved to Red Bull Bora Hansro for 2026, entering a new dynamic that includes Lipawitz as a co-leership figure for the tour, a development Pagakar dismissed as a fear factor for now. In a surprising twist, Jo Almeida, a key lieutenant for UAE team Emirates XRG, announced he would skip the tour to France in 2026 to concentrate on the Gyro Ditalia and Valta Espa. That decision leaves Pagakar without one of his strongest climbers for his pursuit of a fifth yellow jersey, but he will be supported by Isaac Del Toro, who will make his tour to France debut in 2026. Pagakar praised Del Toro’s potential, expressing admiration for his riding style and personality, and hoping he continues to enjoy the sport as he grows. Pagakar’s 2024 and 2025 seasons have been packed with triumphs, 20 wins in total, including a fourth tour to France, a second Milan Remo, a second tour of Flanders, a third lege baston lege overall at the criterium dudane back-to-back road race world titles, the European road race title, and a historic fifth Ael Lombardia. His 2026 program is set to begin with Strata Bena followed by Milan Sanan Remo then the Flemish Classics including the Rubebid and Lee Baston Leege before two Swiss races Romanai and Swiss ahead of the tour. Pagakar also hinted at a broader strategic approach noting that while a couple of marquee wins would be career-defining, he isn’t chasing every unacquired prize with obsessive urgency. He acknowledged that winning both Milan Sanan Remo and Paris Rubet would be career highlights, but he stopped short of declaring an unwavering obsession with conquering every race left on his list. As always, the cycling world will watch closely how the 2026 season unfolds, evaluating how new team dynamics, departures like Elmeidas, and the evolving rivalry shape what could be an extraordinary chapter in Pagakar’s career. Would you back Pagakar’s emphasis on breaking new ground with Rube over chasing an additional tour title? Or do you think the lure of a fifth yellow jersey should take precedence? Share your thoughts in the comments.