Pogacar Wins Fourth Tour de France, Warns of Burnout Risks

Tadej Pogacar secured his fourth Tour de France title with a dominant performance but admitted feeling fatigue in the final days of the race. The 26-year-old Slovenian cyclist warned about the risks of burnout in professional cycling, citing the sport's relentless calendar and obsession with training that can lead to mental and physical exhaustion. Pogacar emphasized that overtraining combined with constant racing demands can trap riders in a cycle of fatigue with little time for recovery, highlighting the tough balance athletes must maintain. Despite being close to joining cycling legends like Eddy Merckx with five Tour titles, Pogacar stated that winning five Tours is not his current goal and prefers to enjoy his achievements and consider future goals like the world championships and the Tour of Lombardy later. He also credited his rival Jonas Vingegaard for pushing him to perform at his best. Pogacar's approach reflects a cautious mindset toward maintaining longevity in a demanding sport while celebrating his recent success.