Tadej Pogačar: A Paris-Roubaix Win and the Quest for History

Tadej Pogačar is approaching a potential historic milestone in professional cycling as he prepares for Paris-Roubaix. Following a solo victory in the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Slovenian rider is positioned to capture the one monument that has previously eluded him.

Pogačar has expressed that he is not primarily driven by records or equalling the achievements of others, but rather by achieving personal goals he has not yet reached. Winning Paris-Roubaix represents a significant personal challenge for the 27-year-old, as it is the only monument he has not won.

The Pursuit of Paris-Roubaix

Pogačar avoided the cobbled monument until last year. During his debut appearance in April 2025, he finished in second place behind Mathieu van der Poel, who secured his third consecutive victory. Despite the strong result, Pogačar lost the race due to an inopportune crash.

In an interview with L’Equipe conducted before the conclusion of the Tour de France in July 2025, Pogačar described the race as crazy and stated that his second-place finish was already incredible. He confirmed his intention to return to the race with the specific goal of winning.

Comparative Legacy and Career Milestones

The potential victory at Paris-Roubaix has intensified comparisons between Pogačar and Eddy Merckx. While debates persist regarding who is the superior rider, Merckx’s career totals currently exceed those of the Slovenian.

Eddy Merckx won over 500 races, including five editions of the Tour de France, five editions of the Giro d’Italia, and one Vuelta a España. In comparison, Pogačar has secured four Tour de France titles and one Giro d’Italia.

Analysis from Velo suggests that while Pogačar’s current momentum is strong, reaching Merckx’s total number of victories is unlikely due to the evolution of the sport. Modern racing programs are more selective, and the general level of competition is considered higher than in Merckx’s era.

Recent Form and Strategic Focus

Pogačar’s focus on Paris-Roubaix follows a period of intense competition. In July 2025, he won his fourth Tour de France title, a victory that left him physically and mentally exhausted. Due to this fatigue, UAE Team Emirates-XRG announced that Pogačar would skip the Vuelta a España later that summer, with Juan Ayuso and João Almeida leading the team instead.

His recent victory in the Tour of Flanders on April 5, 2026, where he led Mathieu van der Poel, demonstrates his current form heading into the cobbled classics. A win at Paris-Roubaix would not only complete his collection of monuments but would also address the specific challenge of the race he previously lost to a crash.

Beyond the spring classics, Pogačar’s long-term goals have included the World Championships in Rwanda and Il Lombardia. However, the immediate priority remains the upcoming Paris-Roubaix, which stands as the final piece of his monument puzzle.