Pogacar targets record fifth Tour de France win as rivals line up

Slovenian champion Tadej Pogacar entered the 2026 Tour de France as the clear favourite, having already secured victories in the Tour de Suisse, Tour de Romandie, Strade Bianche, Milan‑San Remo, the Tour of Flanders and Liège‑Bastogne‑Liège. He aims to join the elite club of Merckx, Hinault, Anquetil and Indurain with a possible fifth overall win, which would also make him the youngest rider to achieve five titles.

Pogacar highlighted that the competition remains open, naming his UAE Emirates teammate Isaac del Toro and defending champion Jonas Vingegaard as viable challengers. He also praised the strength of his support squad, which includes German rider Nils Politt, German newcomer Florian Lipowitz, Mexican Isaac del Toro and Briton Adam Yates. The Danish Vingegaard, a two‑time Tour winner, is seen as his most serious rival.

In a pre‑race press conference in Barcelona, Pogacar said his limited 16‑day race schedule before the Tour was offset by extensive training miles and a refreshed mindset after a cancelled national championship program. He warned cyclists to balance performance innovations with proper recovery, noting that “sometimes the best recovery is simply staying on the sofa.” The start in Barcelona adds a personal touch for Pogacar, who previously won the Volta a Catalunya in 2024.