Tadej Pogacar nominated for prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the Year alongside Alcaraz and Duplantis

Tadej Pogacar has been nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award, placing the Slovenian among six of the most prominent athletes on the planet following a standout 2025 season.

The Tour de France winner is joined on the shortlist by Carlos Alcaraz, Mondo Duplantis, Marc Marquez, Jannik Sinner and Ousmane Dembele, with the winner to be announced at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid on April 20.

The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year category recognises the most outstanding individual male athlete across all sports, with the final decision made by the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Pogacar’s inclusion once again underlines his status not just as cycling’s dominant force, but as one of the defining athletes of the past year across the global sporting landscape.

Pogacar’s nomination follows a 2025 season that reinforced his place at the summit of the sport. Victory at the Tour de France delivered another yellow jersey to his palmares, while he also spent the year competing in the rainbow bands as reigning world champion.

As has become typical of the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader, success came across a range of terrain and race formats, blending Grand Tour authority with major one-day performances.

In a category that spans tennis, athletics, football and MotoGP, Pogacar’s presence ensures cycling retains a seat at the highest table of international sport. Laureus nominations in the World Sportsman category remain rare for riders, making this latest recognition particularly significant.

The 2026 ceremony will take place at Cibeles Palace in Madrid, bringing together athletes from across disciplines in what is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious nights in global sport.

For Pogacar, the nomination adds another milestone to a career that continues to redefine expectations of what a modern stage racer can achieve.