‘I’m Here to Win, Not Just Compete’: Tadej Pogačar Sets His Sights on More Tour de France Stage Victories

Tadej Pogačar has taken the Tour de France by storm. With wins in Rouen, Mûr de Bretagne, Hautacam, and Peyragudes, he is showing he’s not just aiming for the yellow jersey—he’s going for every opportunity to win. “I’m not here to make enemies, but this is the Tour de France,” he told reporters after winning again against Jonas Vingegaard in an uphill time trial.

Pogačar believes in seizing chances. “You can’t just back off when a stage win is up for grabs,” he said. “You never know when it might be your last day.” His latest victory makes it his 21st stage win, bolstering his lead to a solid 4:13 overall, a significant margin in cycling.

This raises questions in the cycling world: should a leader divide the stage wins or go all out? Historically, this debate runs deep. In the 1990s, Miguel Indurain often let others take stage wins while protecting his overall lead. But in the early 2000s, Lance Armstrong famously claimed “no gifts,” emphasizing the competitive spirit of the race.

Even after two decades, the question remains relevant. Pogačar is clear about his approach. “My team works hard for me,” he said. “If I start giving away wins, they wouldn’t be happy.” He is focused on winning, not on how he’ll be remembered in the peloton. As he put it, “When my career ends, I’ll be talking to friends and family, not the whole peloton.”

His recent win in the uphill time trial wasn’t just another victory. Pogačar viewed it as a key moment to gauge his climbing skills against rivals. Early results showed he was already five seconds ahead of Evenepoel and eight seconds ahead of Vingegaard before the serious climbing began. He crossed the finish line with a victory punch, highlighting how much this win mattered to him.

“The goal is to keep the yellow jersey,” he said. “We’ll take it one stage at a time. If there’s a chance, we’ll go for it, but we need to stay smart.” Despite his current dominance, he remains grounded. Pogačar recalls that he had tough moments in previous Tours, reminding himself that anything can happen. “I wouldn’t say I’m untouchable,” he reflected. “You never know when someone might have a better day.”

As fans follow along, the excitement around the Tour de France continues to grow, driven by Pogačar’s impressive performances and strategic mindset. This race is known for its unpredictability, and it seems the thrill is far from over.

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