Pogacar and Marc Márquez are training together ahead of the 2026 Tour de France

Just a few hours before the start of the 2026 Tour de France in Barcelona, two of the great dominators of the world sport on two wheels shared training on the Catalan roads. Tadej Pogačar and Marc Márquez starred in an unexpected cycling day that brought together the reigning world road champion and the nine-time world motorcycle champion in the same group.

Two champions on two wheels: Pogačar and Marc Márquez ride together before the Tour

The meeting took place during one of the reconnaissance rides that the UAE Team Emirates-XRG has conducted this week in Catalonia before the start of the Grande Boucle. The action was part of a collaboration with Insta360, a sponsor of both Pogačar's team and Márquez himself, but left unusual images: the Slovenian leader riding alongside one of the biggest stars of MotoGP.

Márquez, who is taking advantage of the break between the Grand Prix of Assen and Sachsenring to continue fine-tuning his physical preparation, joined for several hours the group formed by some of the men who will accompany Pogačar in the Tour, including Juan Ayuso, Brandon McNulty, Nils Politt, Tim Wellens, Marc Soler, Pavel Sivakov, and Adam Yates.

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The images released by the team show a relaxed atmosphere despite the demanding training. As soon as they met, the Ducati rider joked about the challenge ahead: “Hello, I’m Marc, nice to meet you. I’ll try to follow you from here to the hotel.” Later, during the ride, it was Pogačar himself who praised the Catalan's fitness with a spontaneous: “You’re in shape!” Márquez's response perfectly reflected the difference between a MotoGP champion and a Tour winner: “I’m doing well drafting.”

Although they belong to very different disciplines, both Pogačar and Márquez share a close relationship with the world of two wheels. Cycling is a regular part of the Spanish rider's physical preparation, who often accumulates long training days on both road and mountain bikes.

The Slovenian, for his part, has also cultivated relationships within motorsport and motorcycling. His friendship with Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz is well known, with whom he shares a residence in Monaco and has met at various sporting events over the past few years.

Additionally, another prominent name in MotoGP maintains a special bond with the UAE Team Emirates-XRG champion. Aleix Espargaró keeps one of the bicycles used by Pogačar during the past season at his home, a testament to the respect that exists between the two athletes.

The day concluded inside the UAE Team Emirates-XRG bus. There, both champions exchanged mementos from the meeting. Márquez gave Pogačar a signed pair of MotoGP boots, while the Slovenian responded with a dedicated jersey from his team.

Now their paths separate again. Márquez heads towards Ducati's upcoming commitments, while Pogačar focuses all his attention on the Tour de France, where he will seek his fifth overall victory and the third consecutive one wearing the colors of UAE Team Emirates-XRG.