Tadej Pogačar, born September 21, 1998, in Komenda, Slovenia, is a professional road cyclist widely regarded as one of the greatest riders of his generation and among the best in cycling history[1][3]. Affectionately nicknamed “Pogi,” he competes for UAE Team Emirates, where he has been a key figure since joining in 2019[1][3]. Pogačar’s rise in cycling began in childhood; though initially drawn to football, he started cycling in 2007 with his older brother and quickly distinguished himself in local races[2]. His talent became evident in the junior ranks, with notable wins including the Giro della Lunigiana and the prestigious Tour de l’Avenir, signaling his potential in stage racing[2]. He turned professional in 2017 and made his World Tour debut in 2019, immediately making an impact by winning the Tour of California and three stages at the Vuelta a España, finishing third overall[2]. His breakthrough came in 2020 at the Tour de France, where he claimed overall victory in dramatic fashion, overtaking compatriot Primož Roglič in the final time trial to become the second-youngest winner in the race’s history[2]. Pogačar’s versatility is notable: he excels in time trials, climbing, and one-day classics, drawing comparisons to legends like Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault[1]. His palmarès includes four Tour de France titles (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025), the 2024 Giro d’Italia, and ten Monument classics—among them multiple wins at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Tour of Flanders, and Giro di Lombardia[1]. He is also a two-time UCI Road World Champion, successfully defending his title in 2025[1][6]. In 2024, Pogačar achieved the rare Triple Crown of Cycling—winning the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and World Championships in a single year—a feat matched by only two other male riders in history[1]. That same year, he became the first to win both the Tour de France and the World Championship in consecutive years (2024 and 2025)[1]. His attacking style and ambition to compete across both Grand Tours and one-day classics have reinvigorated the sport, earning him the UCI world No. 1 ranking for a record number of weeks[1]. Off the bike, Pogačar is known for his calm demeanor and close friendships within the peloton, notably with fellow Slovenian Jan Polanc[3]. He is married to cyclist Urška Žigart and is an advocate for women’s cycling[4]. As of late 2025, Pogačar remains at the pinnacle of professional cycling, continuing to set records and redefine what is possible in the sport[1][3].