Tadej Pogacar: Five facts about the 2021 Tour de France winner who is heading to Japan for the Olympics
The Slovenian's next target is the Olympic Games. He'll be one of the most recognisable names at cycling’s road race and time trials in Tokyo.
Cycling Road
Tadej Pogacar hasn’t much down time to celebrate winning back-to-back Tour de France titles before jumping on a plane and heading for the Olympics.
The 22-year-old Slovenian dominated the 2021 Tour, leading to his final stage coronation in Paris, where he completed back-to-back race wins on Sunday (18th July).
"Tokyo is coming really fast. It's not so much time to recover, also with the jet lag, and Japan is super hot with a lot of humidity," said Pogacar according to Cycling News.
Here are five things to know about Tadej Pogacar, ahead of his Olympic debut.
Tadej Pogacar: Winning the 2021 Tour de France won't guarantee Olympic success
According to the New York Times, ‘the 2021 edition of the Tour will be remembered as the one when Pogacar, no longer a surprise, morphed into an unstoppable champion.’
While Pogacar dominated on the streets of France, Olympic gold in either the road race or time trial at the Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021 isn’t a given.
He finished eighth at the final time trial stage at the Tour and only won three stages overall.
Tadej Pogacar: The second youngest winner of the Tour de France
In 2020, Pogacar became the second youngest winner of the Tour de France.
Frenchman Henri Cornet won the Tour de France at the age of 19 way back in 1904.
Tadej Pogacar: Having fun is the priority
It’s a serious business winning any Grand Tour title but winning the Tour de France for two consecutive years takes serious commitment.
Despite the inordinate amount of endurance and mental strength to even finish the race, Pogacar is committed to enjoying himself - even if it is sometimes painful.
"If we don't have fun in what we do, it wouldn't be great. Just having fun is easier for me," he said to Cycling Weekly.
Tadej Pogacar: Growing up in Slovenia
Slovenia is famous for its beautiful lakes and nature, and it was where Pogacar enjoyed learning the basics of cycling.
"I've had some great memories. I trained a lot with my brother on local roads, a few kilometres from home, doing laps, full gas every day. It's a nice memory."
Even if there was the occasion mishap.
"The first training," he said. "I crashed because I didn't know how to unclip.”
Tadej Pogacar: Watching his cycling heroes
Just over a decade ago, Pogacar was watching some of the legends on TV.
"I started watching the Tour de France back in 2009 or 2010, following Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck, spending all day in front of television and then going riding myself," he said in 2020.
Now, he'll head to the Olympic Games as the double Tour de France champion.
Tadej Pogacar: Olympic hopes
For Pogacar, the Olympics presents a unique opportunity.
“I'll go there for a new experience and with super motivation because it's the Olympics and it's only every four – or five – years. I will grab it and try to race for the win," he said.
There’s not much time for specific preparation with the Slovenian leaving France for Japan the day after racing finishes at the Tour de France.
"After the Olympics I hope to find some quiet time, some peace and to chill out."