Tadej Pogacar super motivated to deliver another big year

Dubai: Tadej Pogacar isn’t just winning races — he’s rewriting cycling history. Fresh off a stunning 2024 season that saw him claim the rare triple crown — Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and the UCI Road World Championships — the Slovenian sensation is back, and this time, he’s starting his campaign on home turf at the UAE Tour.

Now, with the new season underway, Pogacar is ready to turn the page and chase fresh glory. After a year of milestones, including 25 victories and his third Tour de France title, the 26-year-old is set to make his return to the UAE Tour — an event close to his heart and his team’s identity. With the race kicking off on Monday, he sees it as the perfect place to launch another ambitious campaign.

“It was an incredible season, one I will always cherish. From the very start, I felt strong, and everything seemed to click into place. When I look back now, it feels like it was almost perfect, beyond what I could have imagined. I feel grateful for my team, my family, the supporters, and everyone who helped me along the way,” said Pogacar, who has extended his contract with UAE Team Emirates until 2030.

“The Triple Crown is something only a few riders have ever achieved, and to be part of that is an honour. As a kid, I dreamed of being a professional, but I never imagined things would happen this fast. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m just enjoying every moment of it.”

With six stage wins and a commanding victory over Jonas Vingegaard, Pogacar claimed his third Tour de France title. He is determined to defend his crown this year from July 5-27 and will decide between the Giro and Vuelta once the routes are revealed.

“It was pure happiness and relief. Winning the Tour once is amazing, but winning it for the third time, and in the way we did, was unreal. The battle with Jonas was intense, and I knew I had to be at my best every single day to beat him. He is a very strong rival. Crossing that finish line in Nice, with my teammates around me, was an unforgettable moment,” Pogacar added.

While last season is now history, Pogacar is eager to continue his success in the UAE Tour and believes Stage 7 at Jebel Hafeet will be decisive.

“The UAE Tour is special to me and to the team. It’s always a great way to start the season. It’s been a couple of years since I raced here, and I’m eager to get back to it,” he said. “Jebel Hafeet is always a key stage, and I would love to win there again. It suits my style of racing, and I have great memories from previous victories. The time trial on Stage 2 will be an important stage and will set the tone for the General Classification. Then you need to survive Jebel Jais, which usually sees a small group finish. We have a strong team, and we want to race aggressively from the start.”

Beyond the UAE Tour, the Slovenian, who won two ultra-long monuments and two other classics last year, has ambitious plans for the 2024 season. He intends to race three monuments — Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege — along with five other classics.

“Aside from the UAE Tour, my main goals will be the Spring Classics, the Tour de France, and defending my World Championship title. There are also some races I haven’t won yet or even raced yet. I’d love to try to add to my palmarès. We’ll take it one race at a time, but I’m motivated for another big year.”

Pogacar is expected to seal victory on the final seventh stage at Jebel Hafeet, with Pello Bilbao of Bahrain likely to pose a strong challenge. Meanwhile, veteran four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome is also on the starting roster.

With history already on his side, Pogacar isn’t slowing down. The UAE Tour may be the season opener, but for him, it’s another step toward what could be yet another record-breaking year.

Stage 1 — flat:

Madinat Zayed — Liwa Palace 138km

Stage 2 — TT:

Around Al Hudayriyat Island 12.2km

Stage 3 — mountain:

Ras Al Khaimah — Jebel Jais 181km

Stage 4 — flat:

Fujairah — Umm Al Quwain 181km

Stage 5 — flat:

Dubai — Dubai 160km

Stage 6 — flat:

Abu Dhabi — Abu Dhabi breakwater 160km

Stage 7 — mountain

Al Ain — Jebel Hafeet 176km.