"Now I have to find a new goal" - Tadej Pogacar wins record-equalling fifth Tour de France as he hints at Vuelta a Espana start
CyclingSunday, 26 July 2026 at 20:58
Tadej Pogacar has joined an even more exclusive club. The Slovenian claimed the 2026 Tour de France on Sunday for the fifth time in his career, matching the greatest legends of the Grande Boucle.
After crossing the line in Paris, where he even fought for the stage win with Mathieu van der Poel before the Dutchman prevailed in the sprint, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader dropped a remark that did not go unnoticed and could fuel speculation about a possible appearance at the Vuelta a España.
The champion was emotional about the scale of his achievement, while acknowledging the immense toll it takes to conquer the Tour: “I have no words, really. It’s been incredible. The atmosphere has been spectacular. I’m also happy it’s over. Five Tour wins… It’s a very prestigious club.”
Pogacar reflected on an extraordinary run at the French race, noting he has turned the Tour into the grand stage of his career.
“I’ve ridden seven Tours, been on the podium seven times, and won five. To think I’m writing a history book with all this… I can’t believe it.”
The key to his success
Asked for the recipe to stay at the top year after year, the Slovenian highlighted both the joy on the bike and the environment around him.
“I don’t know, there are many factors. The most important is enjoying what you do and having people around who trust you, help you, stay with you in tough moments, with whom you can be yourself and fight for your dreams.”
That was when he offered a reflection that sparked a flurry of interpretations: “Now I have to look for another goal.”
He never confirmed what that new challenge will be, but the line comes with the next major target on the calendar being the Vuelta a España. In fact, a journalist pressed him even further at the end of the interview.
“Will we see you in Spain?,” he was asked. Pogacar’s reply was brief, but he didn’t shut the door.
“We’ll see. Let’s enjoy this moment.”
It’s not a confirmation, but it is ambiguous enough to keep alive the possibility of seeing him on the start line of the Spanish Grand Tour.
Tadej Pogacar and Isaac del Toro at the 2026 Tour de France
A word for Vingegaard
Pogacar also paid tribute to his rivals, congratulating Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro, who completed the final podium, and remembering Jonas Vingegaard, forced to abandon during the race.
“It’s an incredible podium. They’re incredible champions I had to battle against. It’s a pity about Jonas Vingegaard, who had to abandon, and other riders too. I wish them the best and hope to fight them again next year.”
Although the final gap in the general classification was large, the Slovenian stressed that dominance on paper does not reflect how hard it is to win the Tour de France.
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“If you come to the Tour de France, you have to suffer. You have to go through a lot to be here. The best rivals, all in great shape, we all give one hundred percent. And that means a huge amount of suffering.”
After sealing his fifth Tour de France and furthering his legend, the big question now is what that “new goal” Pogacar mentioned will be. His words do not confirm he will race the Vuelta a España, but they do not rule it out either. With a terse “we’ll see,” the Slovenian left a door open that could become one of the headline stories at the end of the season.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Another terrible author. Watched this from every angle. At no time did any part of his body ever contact the net. He even said so in his interview.zaz26-07-2026
- He claims not to be, but he’s a record seeker. At least 6 Tours. 4 Flanders. Paris-Roubaix and thus all the Monuments. 6 Lombardias. The Vuelta to get all the grand tours. Finish up all the other major races. And a few other things I’m not thinking of at the moment. Does anyone doubt he’s going for all this?!RidesHills26-07-2026
- It is absolutely no go that this article names Most Tour de France Victories Rank Rider Wins 1 Lance Armstrong 7 victories. Doing that the author accept doping. Lance fake victories has been strapped nad he is truely a SOB. Stop to qoute him, he has contributed to put this great sport in misery for a long period.Jakob26-07-2026
- It is absolutely no go that this article names Most Tour de France Victories Rank Rider Wins 1 Lance Armstrong 7 victories. Doing that the author accept doping. Lance fake victories has been strapped nad he is truely a SOB. Stop to qoute him, he has contributed to put this great sport in misery for a long period.Jakob26-07-2026
- Evenepoel has had a great Tour, climbed fabulously when nobody expected it, and should have the confidence to keep going and growing. I’m not critiquing his past when I say that I didn’t see a single temper driven chase or attack - he was measured when he knew he couldn’t follow, and he attacked when he knew he could. A worthy second place!RidesHills26-07-2026
- Now that it’s over in the way everyone expected, a comparison between Pogačar and Merckx is in order. At this stage in Merckx’s career, he had 13 Monument wins, same as Pogačar, but there’s one left to race this season and Pogačar has never lost it. Merckx is one ahead on grand tours at this stage, unless Pogačar races and wins the Vuelta (which I find unlikely, given other season goals). They're equal on world championships, but this one is in Montreal which is Pogačar’s playground the past few years. This is already a miraculous season for Pogačar, is my point, and he’s equal to the greatest cyclist at equal stages in their careers, but the season isn’t done. A first four-Monument winner? With worlds and the Tour? I’m assuming it will happen. Year 3 of shocking dominance. As I keep saying, what a time to be a fan!RidesHills26-07-2026
- Let me repeat Bruyneels words: "Thijs Zonneveld, you are an idiot." That's all I've got to say !!!mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales26-07-2026
- I think pogi did more domestique duty more than idtZamorano26-07-2026
- If JV didn't abandoned the race, pogi will win stage 15 and 20, because JV will attack and pogi has no choice and has to leave idt behindZamorano26-07-2026
- Do you see him even remotely as a threat to GC? And what's humiliating about that?MajorPayne26-07-2026
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