Pogacar Issues Challenge to Vingegaard: “His Presence is Essential” for 2026 Tour de France
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Tadej Pogacar has publicly called for rival Jonas Vingegaard to compete in the 2026 Tour de France, emphasizing the importance of strong competition to motivate him and elevate the race. Speaking in an interview wiht Marca while attending the virtual cycling world championships in Abu dhabi, Pogacar stated Vingegaard’s participation is ”essential every year.”
The Slovenian champion, who rated his remarkable 20-win 2025 season a 9 out of 10, reaffirmed his intention to race the Tour de France in 2026, calling it “the most prestigious cycling race.” He also expressed a desire to improve his performance in the Classics, specifically targeting victories at Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix – the only Monuments currently missing from his palmarès.
However, Pogacar’s focus remains firmly on the battle for yellow. He acknowledged a certain boredom can creep in during three-week Grand Tours without a formidable opponent. “I always say that all cyclists, like all athletes, aspire to face the best possible competition,” Pogacar explained. “I want to see all the competitors at the top of their form… If some are absent or victims of bad luck, the atmosphere is no longer the same, and the emotion is no longer the same.”
Pogacar specifically highlighted Vingegaard’s impact on his performance over the past four years. “Over the last four years, Jonas has allowed me to surpass myself on the Tour,” he said.
The call comes after Vingegaard recently indicated a preference for targeting the 2026 Giro d’Italia,aiming to complete his collection of all three Grand Tour victories. Despite this, Pogacar clearly hopes his rival will reconsider and join him on the starting line in Barcelona next July as he pursues a record-tying fifth Tour de France title, placing him alongside cycling legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.