“We are a bit afraid something might happen to him” - Tadej Pogacar’s parents fear Roubaix danger as history beckons
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar arrives at Paris-Roubaix this weekend with a chance to complete cycling’s full set of Monuments, having already conquered Milano-Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders this spring.
But while the cycling world focuses on history, those closest to him are looking at something else entirely.
“We are a bit afraid that something might happen to him. It’s dangerous, with the crashes, the bad roads, the high speeds…” Speaking in quotes collected by HLN, Pogacar’s parents Marjeta and Mirko offered a perspective that cuts through the growing noise around their son’s Roubaix bid.
History on the line, but not at home
Victory on Sunday would place Pogacar alongside the very few riders to have won all five Monuments, a feat not achieved since Roger De Vlaeminck. It is the defining narrative heading into the race, especially after his near-miss on debut last year, when a crash ended what had been shaping into a duel with Mathieu van der Poel.
Yet that narrative carries little weight within his own family. “Journalists always talk about making history, but as parents, we don’t think that way,” his mother explained. “For us, it’s important that he enjoys cycling. That he can do what he loves. Whether he wins or not is not so important to us. Of course, it’s nice if it works out, but if it doesn’t, he will just try again next time.”
A race that demands respect
Paris-Roubaix stands apart even among the Monuments. With more than 50 kilometres of cobbles, high speeds and constant risk of crashes or mechanicals, it is a race where even the strongest riders can lose everything in a moment. Pogacar experienced that first-hand in 2025, when a fall removed any realistic chance of victory despite his aggressive racing.
That reality is what shapes his parents’ view. For them, the priority is not the velodrome finish, the trophy, or the history that may follow. It is simply that he gets there.
Tadej Pogacar during recon of the cobbles ahead of Paris-Roubaix 2026
A different view of Pogacar
The scale of Pogacar’s success has transformed him into one of the most recognisable figures in the sport, but his parents insist little has changed away from racing.
“As a person, he hasn’t changed. He is still kind, calm and polite, just as we raised him,” say Pogacar's parents proudly. “He would give up his place for someone else. In life, not in racing.”
It is a contrast that runs through their entire outlook. Where the outside world sees dominance and legacy, they see the same person they raised, one whose priorities extend beyond results.
Present, not pressure
Pogacar himself appears relaxed heading into the race. According to his parents, there was no sign of nerves when they saw him at the team hotel in the days before the start. “He was in a good mood, calm, and really looking forward to it.”
For them, being present matters as much as the race itself. “It’s important to be here, because we don’t see Tadej very often. He doesn’t come to Slovenia much.”
Paris-Roubaix will once again be framed by rivalry, history and the pursuit of greatness. Pogacar has already shown he can match the very best on this terrain, and arrives in form after a dominant spring.
But within his own family, the stakes are defined differently. Not by what he might achieve, but by what he comes through.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Sure, little fella.awp02-11-2026
- You'll be the ongoing joke of 2027 with anything you post here!frieders302-11-2026
- Awwww your inside information must be from PogiFanGirl. You two daughters of different mothers?frieders302-11-2026
- Hey PogIFanGirl...wipe that cream from your lips! You're ever loving drooling and whatever you have for Tadej has your brain fried!frieders302-11-2026
- Why should he 'let it go' ! Because you said so? Anytime LA Doper is called out is a win win !frieders302-11-2026
- Geez LeMond...let it go. You're a has been, albeit a former great one. But this is all water under the bridge and just undermines your legacy further.Mshark01-11-2026
- 'The Slovenian has collected four Tour de France titles' ... '[Kieran Wood's] ... reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis'. i would say that is pretty inaccurate accurate coverage, kieran wood ... too bad that AI's knowledge often lags several months behind ... but proof reading is certainly part of accurate coverage, isn't it? but fortunately does Kieran Wood place 'strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.' i would say the fifth tdf title is pretty new (and even verified) information, so feel free to update this article.Ketterechts01-11-2026
- You are wrong, they are already working on his new tt position. And yes, Trump does love you 😂👍🏼awp01-11-2026
- The Erola Jons incident was not isolated. She felt she could do that because that's how everyone treats Tadej. Remember when he said "If I say wait 2 mins do you show the middle finger and walk off angry?" about the supposed fan who did exactly that? There's nothing wrong with the nurses and doctors asking him to give autographs... but do the surgery first
Rafionain-Glas01-11-2026 - Perhaps he has what Mark Cavendish had, the Epstein-Barr Virus. It caused him severe and unexplained chronic fatigue. I hope he gets better.
parisbound0001-11-2026
Loading
3 Comments