Tadej Pogačar was born on 21 September 1998 in Klanec, a small village near Ljubljana, Slovenia. He came to cycling almost by accident — a childhood footballer, he only picked up the sport seriously after his older brother Tilen brought him along to the ROG Ljubljana club at age nine. That late start didn't slow him down for long.
He turned professional with UAE Team Emirates in 2019 and announced himself immediately, finishing third at the Vuelta a España in his first-ever Grand Tour appearance. The following year he delivered one of the most dramatic moments in modern cycling history: trailing compatriot Primož Roglič heading into the final Tour de France time trial, he rode the ride of his life on La Planche des Belles Filles to snatch the yellow jersey and become both the first Slovenian and the youngest winner of the race since 1904.
What followed was a reign of near-total dominance. In 2024 he accomplished something no rider had ever done before, winning the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, and the UCI Road World Championships in the same season. His 2025 campaign was equally staggering: a fourth Tour de France title, a second World Championship, and a fifth consecutive victory at Il Lombardia, equalling Fausto Coppi's all-time record at that monument.
Nicknamed "Pogi" by a fanbase that spans well beyond cycling, he is widely regarded as the most complete rider of his generation. He attacks where others conserve, smiles where others grimace, and somehow makes domination look effortless. He lives in Monaco with his fiancée, professional cyclist Urška Žigart.