Get ready for a thrilling tale of almosts and near misses! The Tour Down Under, a race that's a world away, was this close to witnessing a true champion's return.
The road racing season has kicked off with a bang, and Australia has been the stage for some exciting action. The Tour Down Under, a race on the other side of the globe, was on the brink of a major moment: world champion Tadej Pogačar's potential season opener.
As the inaugural WorldTour race of the year, the Tour Down Under already boasts an impressive lineup. But with Pogačar's participation, it would have been an event of epic proportions. Race director Stuart O'Grady revealed that the Slovenian's presence was almost a done deal. In an interview with Canberra Times, O'Grady shared, "He's pretty excited about coming down."
Pogačar's interest became a hot topic when his super agent, Alex Carera, made a quick appearance at the Tour Down Under. Carera, who represents riders like Jasper Philipsen and Biniam Girmay alongside Pogačar, sparked conversations about the champion's potential involvement. O'Grady believes Pogačar's enthusiasm was genuine, and he was hopeful to see him race.
But here's where it gets controversial... O'Grady admitted he didn't expect Pogačar's interest, but he saw it as a positive sign. He speculated that the allure of a fifth Tour de France title in 2026 might have influenced Pogačar's decision to maintain his usual race schedule. "After he has that hopeful fifth Tour, we'll do everything in our power to get him down to Adelaide," O'Grady said.
The race director also highlighted the unique appeal of the Tour Down Under, which is often underestimated until experienced. He quoted Michael Kwiatkowski, who recently told him, "Why didn't I come here ten years ago? It's just such a perfect training platform."
While the Tour Down Under might not be the ideal preparation for Pogačar's main target, the Tour de France, O'Grady emphasized the Slovenian's enthusiasm for the idea. "I spoke with Mauro Gianetti (UAE team boss) in Geneva last month, and they almost sent him here," he revealed.
And this is the part most people miss... Pogačar has competed in Australia before, in 2019, where he finished an impressive thirteenth in the general classification and fourth in the youth classification. That year marked his big breakthrough, as he went on to win three stages in the Tour of Spain.
So, will we see Pogačar return to the Australian stage race in 2027? The organizers are already planning for it, and if things align, we might just witness history in the making.
For now, Pogačar starts his season with a series of races, including the UAE Tour, where he has competed in the past. This year, he will also make his first appearance in Tuscany on March 7, adding another exciting chapter to his racing journey.
So, what do you think? Should Pogačar consider the Tour Down Under as part of his race program? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on this potential future racing scenario!
