"I was clearly faster than last year" - Tadej Pogacar believes his 2026 self is his best version

Tadej Pogacar has had his best spring to date, winning Milano-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Strade Bianche - aside from the Tour de Romandie. He is now gearing up for the Tour de France, a race in which he may reach his best-ever level.

The numbers are very high, but they tell a story. In race, it was at the 2024 Tour that both Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and also Remco Evenepoel reached their best-ever climbing numbers. The ascents to Plateau de Beille and Isola 2000 set up performances that haven't been replicated since.

But in 2025, the fatigue of a three-week race in which Visma focused on constant attacks, as well as a first week marked by explosive hilly stages, a time trial, crosswinds and more, led to the duo not reaching their absolute best numbers once they reached the high mountains.

Pogacar is not in control of Visma's tactics for the upcoming Grand Boucle; but his current Tour de Suisse performance that he is in great form. But it's not just what is seen on the road, but rather what Pogacar said himself regarding his numbers in training.

The World Champion's post-classics training was based on the longer efforts and weight loss, the opposite of what he worked towards in the classics. It seems as though he has achieved what he wanted.

“During the recent training camp in the Sierra Nevada, there is a climb where I tested myself last year. I managed to set a really good time there back then,” Pogacar shared with L'Équipe. “I remember thinking: wow, I don't believe I will ever be able to go faster".

"This year, at the end of the training camp, just for fun, I decided to give it another try". The results? "In the end, I was clearly faster than last year. So yes, I would say that I am stronger than in 2025. Certainly, from a training perspective.”

Translating the watts into a race scenario is naturally not a simple task, as the sport has plenty variables that come in the way. But the signs point towards the potential of the UAE Team Emirates - XRG showing his best-ever level at the upcoming Tour de France - with the Tour de Suisse likely to be conquered this Sunday afternoon.