Pogacar Issues Challenge to Vingegaard: “His Presence โฃis Essential” for 2026 Tour de France
Abu Dhabi, โคUAE – Tadej Pogacar has publicly called for rival Jonas Vingegaard to compete in the 2026 โTour de France, emphasizing the importance ofโฃ strong competitionโข 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 โ”essential every year.”
The Slovenian champion, who rated his remarkable 20-win 2025 โseason a 9 out of 10, reaffirmed his intention to race the Tourโค de France in 2026, calling it “the most โคprestigious cycling race.” He also expressed a desire to improveโ his performance inโ the Classics, specifically targeting victories at Milan-San Remoโค and โParis-Roubaix – the onlyโ Monuments currently missing from his palmarรจs.
However, Pogacar’sโค focus remains firmly on the battle for yellow. He acknowledged a certain boredom can โcreep in during three-week Grand Tours โขwithout a formidable โopponent. “I always say that all cyclists, like all athletes, aspire to face the best possible competition,” Pogacar explained. “Iโ want to see all the competitorsโฃ at the topโฃ of their formโฆ If some are absent or victimsโ of bad luck, the atmosphere is no โคlonger theโ same, and the โemotion is โno longerโค the same.”
Pogacar specifically highlighted Vingegaard’s impact on hisโค performance over โคthe 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 โคfor targeting the 2026 Giro d’Italia,aiming to complete his collectionโ of all three Grand Tour victories. โคDespite this, Pogacar clearly hopes his rival will reconsider and join him on the starting line โฃin Barcelona next July as heโฃ pursues a record-tyingโฃ fifth Tour de France title, placing him alongside cycling legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.
