Pogacar ends retirement rumours; could start 2026 in March; shares thoughts on Remco Evenepoel: "It scares me that he would get better"

Tadej Pogacar is having no thoughts of retiring anytime soon despite the potential for it that began after his exhausting fourth Tour de France win. He is staying with UAE Team Emirates - XRG until 2030, and in recent interviews he has discussed also Remco Evenepoel who could emerge as his new top rival. 

"I never had an idea to leave cycling in 2028. I signed a contract with UAE Team Emirates - XRG 2030 and unless something crazy happens i will respect it," Ciro Scognamiglio reported. "Every year the team is better and becomes a family for me".

After the Tour de France he was quite exhausted mentally and 2028 was a key point in the next few years due to the Los Angeles Olympic Games, a title he does not yet have. But for another two years he's staying on board, including a possible 2029 Slovenian Tour de France start.

"Still enjoying my victories? I did take time to relax with nice people around me. In Mallorca we were able to enjoy another week of beautiful weather. I also had some good training sessions behind me," Pogacar shared with Sporza. He is preparing for the 2026 season, and is said to possibly be starting it only at Strade Bianche in March. It was heavily rumoured that he could start it at Tour Down Under next season but this remains not too likely.

His main goals, without a doubt (in the spring) are the two monuments that he hasn't conquered yet, and saw Mathieu van der Poel get in the way last year. "The Tour is and remains the Tour. I would like to compete again for wins in Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix, yes. Winning a classic like that is much bigger than going there thinking you can win."

He was asked about Remco Evenepoel, who has signed with Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe: "For Remco, the change could be good. He went from one super team to another. It will be interesting if he can make another step. I hope not, because I think he's already pretty strong and dominant. It scares me that he would get better. Although I think he will do well. The whole world will follow his coming steps with great interest".

For Pogacar at the moment, his priority is to enjoy life and balance things out things as best as possible: "Maybe I can't do better in terms of results on the bike, but I can do better in daily life. The meaning of life is to be happy and to do good for others. So I want to find a good balance".