Pogačar crashed on stage 8 of the Vuelta, on August 29, sustaining a concussion, a displaced left clavicle fracture, a stable neck fracture and multiple abrasions, and was forced to abandon the race. We wrote at the time that, according to several expert websites, the impact of these injuries on the body was“exponential rather than additive” – that is, their combined impact was greater than the sum of the individual injuries. As a result, achieving full fitness would take “anywhere from 6 to 12+ months.” But because Pogačar is an elite athlete and the neck fracture was stable, the time could be shortened.
In any event, a later statement by UAE Team Emirates– XRG declared that he would do no more racing in 2026, while at the same time announcing that he had signed a contract extension until 2032. Pogačar himself said at the time: “Of course, this isn’t the way I wanted my season to finish. Right now, the most important thing is to recover properly and give my body the time it needs. It has been a season with many special moments, and I’m proud of what we achieved together. Now I’ll focus on getting healthy, supporting the guys from home, and coming back next year ready for what’s ahead.”
But a rumour suggesting the five-time Tour de France winner would race in the Euros suddenly provoked a hornet’s nest of interest after Italian journalist Beppe Conti suggested that the Slovenian was determined to participate in the European Championship if his recovery allowed it. A few days later, it was discovered that his name was on the provisional entry list published by the UEC (Union Européenne de Cyclisme) on Tuesday.
Now the story spread like wildfire, on the assumption that if anyone could return from such catastrophic injuries in fewer than 6 weeks, it was Pogačar. After all, he walks on water, doesn’t he? All of the major cycling publications carried the story, with some, like ProCyclingUK, reminding readers that these lists are “provisional and include reserve riders, so appearing now is not a guarantee that somebody will actually start the road race.”
Then the Danish publication Feltet contacted UAE regarding the entry list and received a definitive response. “This is probably an old list,” UAE said. “Although he is back doing light indoor training, there are no plans for him to ride any more races this year.”
That should have put an end to it, but it didn’t. The Slovenian organisers of the European Championships then got into the act, with European Championships General Secretary Tomaž Poljanec telling Siol, “We all want him. This championship was organised with Tadej Pogačar in mind.” Though he did not say that he truly believed that the defending world champion would race in October, Poljanec did not rule it out entirely. “Who will be among the eight is for the coach to decide,” he said. “Of course, we would all like Tadej, but I think the right thing is to listen first to the experts and the doctors, so I would rather not speculate.”
Actually, Poljanec was wrong. The final decision on whether Pogačar races in the European Championships is not up to the Slovenian coach; it’s up to the team that pays the Great One his great salary. But it’s understandable why the mere rumour of Pogačar’s early return to racing would make the hearts of cycling fans flutter, and especially those of the editors of cycling publications.
He is a rare superstar, charismatic, immensely likeable, hugely popular and certainly one of the two greatest cyclists who ever lived. Dedicated cycling fans will follow the sport, even when the great riders are not racing. But the casual cycling fans come for the celebrities and the legends; Pogi brings the world to the sport.
That is certainly something that worries Poljanec, who is probably afraid that without Pogačar racing, attendance at the Championships will suffer. But I’m sure that Pogačar will be at the start line in October, but not as a rider. He will be there as an honoured spectator, to receive the well-deserved ovations of his home fans and all cycling fans in attendance. That’s also worth coming for.