"I have no secrets" - Tadej Pogacar on his mindset within pro cycling and 'record-breaker' reputation

Tadej Pogacar is this generation's top performer in professional road cycling, and his era is still far from over. The World Champion is achieving things that have never before been reached in the sport and has gained a mythical reputation. He responds to reputation that has fallen on him and his daily life as a pro cyclist.

"Does the label 'record-breaking man' bother me? I don't pay much attention to it. But of course, when certain things are constantly repeated in press conferences, interviews, and races, then it's hard not to notice," Pogacar said in words to RSI.

The Slovenian has become the first rider to ever finish on the podium of all five monuments last season, something he is likely to replicate in 2026. He came very close to win Paris-Roubaix, which would put him in the unique position of winning all five in one year - which could set a record that would not be matched for decades.

However the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider does not have his life or career revolve around records, as is the case also with Mathieu van der Poel - who achieved a record-breaking eighth cyclocross world title this past winter, but now looks to prioritize other disciplines instead of extending it.

"To be honest, though, I'm not the type to chase something. In fact, I don't chase anything at all," Pogacar says. With four Tour de France wins to his name, he has the chance to match another record this summer, and potentially become the most victorious (after Lance Armstrong's suspension) in the sport's most important race.

But this is not the motivating factor in his career. "I just want to live in the moment, enjoy what I have now, and see where my path takes me. And if I break some records, I break them. Otherwise, it doesn't matter, I'm not obsessed with them."

A rider like Pogacar will always be subject to the big and difficult questions, and the highest of results are expected of him. But he once again comes back to the simplicity of life that he chases whilst at his home in Monaco.

"Of course, I'm happy that people say I'm special, but I think it refers exclusively to what I do on a bike. I'm lucky to have legs, lungs, and a heart that allow me to do something special on a bike, yes, but outside of that, I'm a very simple guy. In my daily life, I do normal things like everyone else: I cook dinner and lunch, clean the apartment, take care of paperwork, and go to the supermarket," he explains.

This, within the context of being a top pro cyclist, an extremely demanding task by the stands of any sport. "It's clear that nothing comes naturally and everything requires effort, especially good things. Whatever you do, you have to work hard to achieve it. You have to be able to overcome difficult times, but also be able to enjoy the good ones".

His 2026 season so far has been marked by his many wins; whilst this summer he takes on the Tour de Suisse and Tour de France as the man to beat. He will be the main favourite too at the Montréal World Championships, where he may also match Peter Sagan as a three-time consecutive rainbow jerseyw inner.

"The most important thing, however, is that you enjoy what you do, even if it involves pain and suffering in your legs, as in my case," the Slovenian adds.

"The secret? I have no secrets. I just know that I get more annoyed not when I lose, but when I can't show my best. If that doesn't happen very often, it's because I always push myself to the limit and am driven to give my best. Yes, I'm always quite happy, even if I lose."