On this Monday's episode of the CyclingUpToDate Podcast, Rúben Silva and Gavin Quinn discussed what's next for Tadej Pogacar. After winning his fifth Tour de France title, a record-equalling triumph leaves fans wondering what's next for the world champion.
In the short-term, Pogacar has been heavily linked with a start at the Vuelta a Espana next month in what would be his second participation after 2019. If he was to rider the grand tour, he could complete the career set of all three of cycling's grand tours.
Looking further ahead, the attention turned to Pogacar's long-term future and what's left for the Slovenian to achieve in the sport.
Gavin Quinn put out the question - Is Pogacar going to ride the Vuelta and furthermore will he only compete in a handful more Tour de France editions?
"Do you see him in Vuelta this year? Also, could we see him maybe go on to one more Tour and then maybe not coming again? I think there's a world in which Tadej Pogacar potentially only rides one or two more Tour de Frances."
Tadej Pogacar wins the Tour de France 2026.
Will Tadej Pogacar ride Vuelta a Espana?
Rúben Silva sees one major milestone on the calendar that Pogacar could be eying, the 2028 Olympic Games. However, in the short term, the Vuelta a Espana's start location as well as his overall condition at the end of the Tour has convinced him that he will ride in August - despite it ending close to the World Championships.
Rúben said: "I think until 2028, he stays because we have the Olympic Games. From there on after? I'm not sure. He's going to go to the Vuelta. I'm very certain of that because, look, he is not fatigued in the same way that he was last year. He just seemed to finish the Tour fine.
"His level was incredible. As we saw in the last Mountain Stage, he didn't even look to be in great concern to take all the time he needed to put in everything that he could. The Vuelta starts in Monaco and that makes a massive difference. He lives in Monaco. He can just go home, spend the next three weeks pretty much at home, recover a little bit, train a little bit, start the Vuelta."
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2028 Olympic Games a potential Pogacar goal
"Well, you don't have to travel. He's just there and that makes a big difference for a rider, especially if there's motivation of his calibre. You just need the motivation from these small things. The Vuelta may not have too much of a competition. He can just go home, enjoy summer for three weeks, train a little bit. The Vuelta finishes in Andalusia around Sierra Nevada."
Gavin wondered if the 2028 Olympic Games' proximity to the Tour de France could mean he doesn't ride La Grand Boucle that summer. However, if the games were to be this summer, he's sure Pogacar would be in good enough condition to take the win.
He concluded: "I think he looks at the Olympics maybe as his last true big huge career goal, but that would probably mean he doesn't ride the Tour de France in 2028 because the Olympic Games is only a couple of days after. He will also remember this Tour he finished is pretty fresh. I think if the Olympic Games are in two days, he's winning them."
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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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
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