"I doubted if I'd continue - My body was in shock": Tadej Pogacar reveals how close he came to abandoning 'hardest Tour de France yet'

Tadej Pogacar has admitted that he came close to climbing off his bike during what he described as the hardest Tour de France of his career in 2025, revealing that knee pain and freezing conditions in the final week left him in genuine doubt about reaching Paris.

The 27-year-old dominated the race to secure his fourth overall victory, but speaking on the Tour 202 podcast, he gave a candid account of the physical and mental battle behind the polished result. “The Tour is a necessary evil for every team,” Pogacar said. “Everyone arrives on the start line completely sharp. This year was the fastest Tour ever. The route was brutal, with lots of traps and short, punchy finishes.”

After a commanding performance in the second week, including a standout time trial, the world champion’s momentum was suddenly checked. “The second week suited me perfectly, I rode a great time trial,” he explained. “But then came the final week. I wanted a big win in the Alps, especially revenge on the Col de la Loze. To be honest, things didn’t go entirely to plan. The day after Ventoux I had knee problems, and I started doubting whether I’d even be able to continue. The weather was awful, freezing cold."

“My body was in shock, I didn’t feel great,” he added. “A three-week race is never easy — every rider suffers. We’re already tired after the first week, and then there are still two more to go.”

The Slovenian’s dominance has made him the defining rider of his generation, but Pogacar is aware that not every fan enjoys his control of races. “Some people find my racing exciting, others say the race is over too soon,” he said. “Even last year at Worlds in Zurich, no one was sure until the end whether I’d win. I can’t blame anyone for feeling how they feel. Being at the top isn’t easy.”

Despite the fatigue of another long season, Pogacar shows no sign of losing his hunger. He racked up 20 victories this year, winning consistently across the calendar — a feat he credits to the structure and freedom within his team environment.

“A huge thanks goes to my team,” he said. “They put together a great programme for the whole year. I get a lot of freedom during training camps, Ursa is there too, so it often feels like home. The schedule is demanding and it’s not easy to be at your best all the time, but we’ve figured out how to make it work.”

Looking ahead, Pogacar’s ambitions remain as vast as ever. He is determined to complete the set of five Monuments — a feat achieved by only three riders in history.

“I’ve been close at Milano–Sanremo a few times,” he said. “Paris–Roubaix I rode for the first time this year and finished second. I saw that I have the potential to win, but it will be really hard. It’s a big dream and it will drive me for years to come.”

The northern Classic has clearly left its mark. “Paris–Roubaix is the most beautiful race I’ve ever ridden,” Pogacar reflected. “Up to the corner where I crashed, I had my best power numbers of the entire season. I was pleased with that because the course doesn’t suit me perfectly. Van der Poel is ten kilos heavier than me, but we still have to push the same watts. The atmosphere and the race were unforgettable.”

For now, Pogacar’s immediate plans are more modest. While many would be packing for a sun-drenched holiday, he prefers home comforts. “The proper holidays come quite late — only in November,” he said. “Honestly, I prefer being at home, especially with Urska and my family. Those free days together go by far too quickly.”

Even after another historic season, the sense is clear: Pogacar’s hunger to push boundaries has not dimmed. If 2025 truly was his hardest Tour yet, it may also have set the stage for something even more extraordinary to come.