'I will be back, maybe not next year' – Tadej Pogačar defers history-making after second place at Paris-Roubaix

Tadej Pogačar came agonisingly close to making history at Paris-Roubaix, finishing just half a second behind Wout van Aert in a thrilling finale at the Roubaix velodrome. The Slovenian, widely tipped to become the first rider since 1977 to win all five Monuments of cycling, showed remarkable resilience despite a series of mechanical setbacks. His second-place finish, while a disappointment, underscored his growing prowess in the Classics and maintained his pursuit of Monument immortality. The race was a test of endurance and strategy for Pogačar, who suffered multiple punctures and bike changes, including a critical puncture before the notorious Arenberg Forest sector. Despite these challenges, he managed to chase back to the front and stayed with Van Aert for the final 50 kilometres. Pogačar admitted that his legs were not at their best in the decisive moments, acknowledging Van Aert’s strength and conceding that victory was deserved by his rival. Reflecting on his performance, Pogačar was humble and introspective, emphasising that he gave his best effort amid the chaotic nature of the race. He expressed no regrets but hinted at a need to analyse the race further once the dust settles. His calm and measured response to defeat highlighted his maturity and determination to learn from the experience rather than dwell on the narrow loss. Looking ahead, Pogačar confirmed his intention to return to Paris-Roubaix, though perhaps not as soon as next year. With a career still full of potential, he remains focused on completing his Monument collection, having already won Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Il Lombardia. His near-miss at Roubaix only adds to the anticipation surrounding his future attempts to cement his legacy in cycling’s most prestigious one-day races.