Tadej Pogacar sets sights on World Championships road race defence in 2025 - 'The most difficult to defend'
Published 19/11/2024 at 17:18 GMT
Tadej Pogacar may have won the Triple Crown in 2024, but he says it is not hard to motivate himself as he goes in search of further glory. The Slovenian is ramping up his preparations for the new season, when he will target another Tour de France title, as well as a possible tilt at a first Vuelta a Espana win. But he says defending his road race title at the World Championships is also a goal.
Pogacar soloes to fourth straight victory at Il Lombardia 2024
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tadej Pogacar has revealed that adding another world title to his already glittering CV sits near the top of his wish list for 2025.
The Slovenian has enjoyed a sensational year, finishing first in the general classification at the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia.
He also secured a gold medal at the UCI World Championships in the men's road race in Switzerland.
The event will return in September 2025, taking place in Africa for the first time as the Rwandan city of Kigali plays host.
Speaking to Slovenian news outlet Siol.net, via Cycling News, Pogacar reflected on his achievements over the last 12 months, and admitted reclaiming his crown would be a huge achievement.
"There were so many nice victories, and in the biggest races, that I can't choose just one," he said.
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"But the victory at the World Championships with the national team is a little more important than the others.
"I've already defended the win in quite a few races. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn't, and it won't be any different next year.
"Perhaps only the World Championships will stand out, because it's a special race and because it's been rare for someone to win it two years in a row. Only the most special riders have done that."
"The World Championships will probably be the most difficult race to defend. But I will be even happier to go to races where I have not won yet and try to win there."
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'A rider for the history books!' - Watch Pogacar's best wins in dazzling 2024
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pogacar's final race of the year was in October, when he landed a fourth consecutive Il Lombardia title.
It added to a legendary season - which some consider the greatest of all time - as he became only the third cyclist to win the 'Triple Crown' of Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Road World Championships, following in the footsteps of Eddy Merckx and Stephen Roche.
There is no let-up in his pursuit of further greatness though.
The 26-year-old, who rides for UAE Team Emirates, will soon kick off his preparations for 2025, although he concedes the winter weather is not to his liking.
"I will slowly go to the first December preparations with the team in warmer places, where we will start serious training," he added.
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Pogacar’s Top 5 moments from his third Tour de France win
Video credit: TNT Sports
"These days I have to train in a structured way for the new season. The last week we have had really cold weather, and I don't feel like going training!"
And when the new season kicks off, there might be a few more targets that Pogacar has set his sights on.
While he will go in search of a fourth yellow jersey at the Tour de France, he is also spoken of being keen to win the Vuelta a Espana for the first time.
"I look forward to new challenges," he said. "I like to test myself on the bike and enjoy nature. It's not hard to motivate yourself."
Stream the 2025 cycling season, including the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, live on discovery+
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