Tadej Pogačar delighted with 'bonus' polka dot jersey: 'I would love to ride in this jersey every day'
The Slovenian has ridden 39 days at the Tour and picked up six stage wins and looks destined to win his fourth, fifth and six jersey


It’s obviously not as important as yellow, but Tadej Pogačar couldn’t hide his delight at also all-but securing a second successive polka dot jersey at the Tour de France.
In similar fashion to the 2020 edition when the young Slovenian climbed to the top of the mountain classification on the penultimate day of racing, the UAE Team Emirates man hasn’t been in contention for the polka dots in this year’s race until the final few days.
An enjoyable battle for the minor classification has mostly been contested by Wout Poels, Michael Woods and at times Nairo Quintana, but Pogačar’s succession of victories looks almost certain to deny Poels an appearance on the podium in Paris.
Speaking after his win on Luz Ardiden, the 22-year-old beamed: “It’s really something crazy to be on the podium at the Tour and to take polka.
“It’s one of the nicest jerseys. Last year I wore it for one day and would love to ride in this jersey every day with all of the fans.
“The fans are crazy for the polka dot jersey so it’s super-nice to get it.
“We never thought about it because yellow is always priority but what we did is a big bonus.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
His boyish looks and blonde hair peeking out the top of his helmet have become a trademark look for Pogačar, and throughout his defence of the Tour he has been spotted smiling even on the toughest of climbs.
“It’s exactly how I felt,” he said when asked if he enjoyed stage 18. “I think that’s the point of sport: to have fun, to enjoy what you’re doing.
“My coaches and my sports directors always tell me to be calm and that it’s just a game.
“Sometimes you win or lose, but they always remind me to have fun.
“I am really lucky on this team. Even if I had a bad race, I still have fun. After a bad day always comes a good day.
“Today I really enjoyed racing even though it was really tough.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
“I feel proud racing guys I used to watch on TV” says French teenage sensation Paul Seixas after climbing to 6th in Critérium du Dauphiné GC
As Romain Bardet prepares to bow out, 18-year-old Paul Seixas looks well prepared to take up his stage racing baton
-
Tadej Pogačar: I didn’t like Visma’s dangerous tactics on the Croix de Fer descent but that’s modern cycling
Pogačar unhappy with rival team's approach during Critérium du Dauphiné's queen stage, as Jonas Vingegaard says “I hope that this race can help me get better"
-
Michael Matthews puts career on pause after signs of a pulmonary embolism
Australian will miss Tour de France with all physical activity stopped until further notice
-
'Getting to Paris is like that moment you're told you're in remission' - Geoff Thomas to attempt Tour de France route for seventh time with Tour21
Former professional footballer Thomas getting set to tackle the 3,000 plus kilometre route to raise money for Cure Leukaemia
-
Mathieu van der Poel fractures wrist in MTB crash, puts summer of racing in doubt
Van der Poel diagnosed with minor avulsion fracture of the scaphoid bone after two crashes at MTB World Series event in Nové Město
-
'I feel pain in my sprinter's heart': Marcel Kittel reacts to Tour de France final stage shake-up in Paris
Retired German sprinting great says inclusion of cobbled climb to Montmartre before Champs-Élysées finish will be 'very stressful' and would leave him 'disappointed as a rider'
-
Will the sprinters make it to the Champs-Élysées? Tour de France 2025 final stage places Montmartre climb 6km from the finish
ASO confirms punchy race finale with three ascents of the Butte Montmartre
-
'They never once checked me for concussion' - Jonas Vingegaard calls out head injury protocol after Paris-Nice crash
Two-time Tour de France winner says he was 'completely dizzy and nauseous' in days after crash
-
'When everyone starts to panic, you just need to breathe deeply': Fearless approach key to success on Giro d’Italia gravel stage
Pello Bilbao expects Strade Bianche-style stage on Sunday to be both a physical and mental challenge
-
Tour de France Champs-Élysées stage to include cobbled climb in Montmartre, copying Paris Olympic road race
Route change confirmed to mark 50th anniversary of first ever finish on the Champs-Élysées