"I don’t see it for myself that I can do it for another 10 years" - Pogacar at peace with likely early career peak

More and more, young professional riders are taking to the very top of the cycling world. Tadej Pogacar is part of the set of generations that has emerged as a pro rider already with an incredibly high level, but he admits he isn't expecting it to last many years.

In an extensive interview with CyclingTips, Pogacar has discussed his Tour de France, but also his expectations regarding his career in the peloton, after starting out his triumphs at such a young age in the peloton. “Maybe the careers will not be shorter on average, but maybe the top level of the competitors will be less years. We’re gonna see maybe five, seven years at the top level, maybe 10."

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But I’m more the lower number," he revealed. "I think it’s going to have the effect that the younger riders are already racing at the top level and you just cannot. For me, I don’t see it for myself that I can do it for another 10 years at the same level I have done now for three years.”

Pogacar's statements are only indicative, but reveal the widely discussed possibility of riders getting to their peak performance at a young age, and go on to then end their careers earlier, effectively disrupting cycling's traditional cycles. He revealed satisfaction with what he had achieved in his career so far - with good reason.

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“I don’t worry at all. I got this opportunity to be one of the best cyclists in the world. Even if it’s just for one year, and now it’s already the third, fourth, year that I’m really doing good. If it happens that my shape will go down in two years, I will not mind. I understand that you cannot be the best anymore and you need to accept that," he continued.

“I already have this in my mind and I will be ready when it comes to that. So I will just enjoy racing now, and when I’m not that good anymore I will also enjoy racing or something else," Pogacar said, revealing peace with the fact that he will not be able to remain as dominant inside the peloton as he has been for the past two seasons.

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“Well, I was once dreaming to be on the start of the Tour de France, and yeah. Wearing white shoes, white handlebar tape, and white saddles. But never, never, did I imagine to be winning a stage or winning a whole Tour. For me, I’ve been over my expectations. Over my dreams. Even now, I can just enjoy this. This moment," he concluded.