Photos: A.S.O. / Charly Lopez; Pauline Ballet; Billy Ceusters

The brilliant Slovenian cyclist has won three Tour de France titles in his glittering career so far, and his almost rebellious approach to racing fascinates his rivals and spectators alike

Until 2024, only two cyclists – the legendary Belgian Eddy Merckx (1974) and Ireland’s Stephen Roche (1987) – had won one of the most coveted and demanding titles in cycling history: the Triple Crown. This extremely rare and almost mythical feat requires a rider to win the three most prestigious races – the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the UCI Road World Championships Road Race – making it one of the greatest challenges in professional sport.

Winning with astonishing ease, Pogačar has redefined what it means to be a top-level cyclist through his unconventional, almost rebellious, approach to racing. At just 21, he became the second-youngest winner of the Tour de France in history, and a year later he repeated the feat, further cementing his status as a superstar. What sets him apart is not just the impressive number of wins, but the way he achieves them – attacking when others would not dare, taking risks most would avoid and showing a boldness that fascinates his rivals and spectators alike.

The hallmark of his riding are sudden and strong attacks that are a blend of instinct, physical form, psychological tactics and ability to read the race. ‘When to attack? It’s mostly on feel’, Pogačar explains, stressing the intuitive aspect of his tactics.

‘I’ve got that instinct in me’, he continues, describing the inner feeling that guides him in the crucial moments of a race. ‘You need this animal energy to attack – if you’re really hungry and you feel no pain in the legs, then you just go.