“I never thought about retiring in 2028" - Tadej Pogacar remains a pro cyclist until 2030 or beyond

At the end of the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar was physically and mentally exhausted, and admitted thoughts of retirement from pro cycling existed. However these were never going to be put to action, neither was there a date for that to happen. He confirms this ahead of the 2026 Milano-Sanremo, where he continues his pursuit of being the first rider in decades to conquer the five monuments.

“I would more or less think there wasn’t much else left to do – but in reality, there’s always something else. There are many one week races I haven’t won yet, there’s also the Vuelta… There are lots of things to try in different scenarios," Pogacar said in an interview leading up to Sanremo with Gazzetta dello Sport. "The years are going by quickly and there is not much time left to try to win everything.”

For that reason, he is taking on the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse this year, as it fits his schedule and will likely be going in his palmarès if he has his normal legs. But the races that are truly missing in his palmarès that are the most meaningful are Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix; the two monuments in which his charachteristics are the least suited to, although he was on the podium last year in both.

The Olympic Games are perhaps the other title, but one that can only be achieved in Los Angeles in just over two years from now. There are rumours that it might be a mountainous route, which could suit the Slovenian very well. But that year wasn't set out as a potential final season for the World Champion.

“I never thought about retiring in 2028. I’ve signed a contract until 2030, but I could go beyond that.” At age 27 and at the peak of a career that shadows virtually all riders in the sport's history, there is no reason to contemplate it now. However it has to be taken into consideration that riders currently (and in the future this trend will certainly continue retire earlier; and Pogacar won his first Tour de France already six years ago at age 21. The pressure and demand of being at the top level is sustainable only for so long, something which will be determined over time.

With the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia in his palmarès, the Slovenian now prioritizes the other two. Hence, this Saturday's race is hugely important for his season. He has tried winning Sanremo several times and in different ways, thus far not being successful.

“Above all, it’s because there have been others better than me. It’s also not a secret that the course isn’t ideally suited to my characteristics," he admits. "But the progression of my results says that I’m gradually getting closer. When you lose, you always learn something and every season, I’ve learned things and spotted details that will be useful for the future.”

UAE's use of the Cipressa a year ago proved that the climb could be used for a winning move, and at the time only an equally strong Mathieu van der Poel prevented him from going solo off the front for an historic win. For over 30 years an attack on the penultimate ascent hasn't led to victory, with the last time being Gianni Bugno in 1990. But tactics are something that change on the go, and Pogacar wasn't keen on naming the possibilities.

“It’s impossible to say in advance because every Sanremo has its own story. Weather, participants, wind, condition, teams – there are too many variables. You can set out from Pavia with a precise plan, but you have to be ready to change it in the race. Sanremo is won on Via Roma, but you can lose it at every metre along the course.”

He is also aware that despite his efforts, the race may not play out in his favour, as the startlist this year is also packing a stronger group of climbers and puncheurs who could match him on the Cipressa; whilst the wind also doesn't look to favour attacks. “At Sanremo, unlike Flanders or Roubaix, there are lots of riders who can aspire to winning, including my good friend Jasper Philipsen, who was faster than me in the sprint two years ago,”