Tadej Pogačar, the three-time Tour de France winner and the world's leading pro road cyclist, has launched a charity foundation to help those in need, initially those affected by natural disasters.

"It is no secret that I made a lot of money with cycling in the last few years... Honestly, I don't feel the most comfortable with this money," Pogačar wrote in a press release issued by his foundation on 6 August.

"I know how the people who are struggling and who need help feel. My family always taught me to share my happiness and help those in need. Those values are close to my heart," the Slovenian superstar added.

Prompted by last year's catastrophic floods in Slovenia, he launched a fundraising campaign with his father Mirko Pogačar, the father of his fiancée Urška Žigart, Jani Žigart, and lawyer Andrej Brezavšček.

The foundation has raised €55,000 for those affected by natural disasters, including a €30,000 donation by Pogačar.

In the future the Tadej Pogačar Foundation also plans to donate funds to cancer patients.

"My wish is to help," said Pogačar, adding that they are now collecting applications for households affected by floods, which can receive up to €5,000 each.

The foundation is raising money through direct donations. A portion of proceeds from Pogačar's online merch store also goes to charity.

Pogačar already donated €40,000 to the victims of the August 2023 floods last year, adding €10 to his initial donation of €10,000 for every signature and selfie he handed out at a fan meet. Jerseys of Pogačar and several other Slovenian cyclists were auctioned off for the cause, raising €16,000.

Pogačar, who won the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double this year, has bee topping the UCI World Ranking for 149 weeks running or since September 2021.