Urška Žigart has strongly responded to a social-media comment comparing her cycling earnings with those of her fiancé, Tadej Pogačar, after she suffered another serious injury.
The AG Insurance-Soudal rider is currently recovering after fracturing her jaw for the second time this year in a crash at the Faun Tour Femmes. Her latest injury is expected to bring her 2026 season to an early end.
Following the team’s announcement about Žigart’s injuries, one Instagram user wrote that Pogačar “earns millions” while she races for “loose change and injuries,” before telling her to look after her health.
Žigart responded directly, pointing out the double standards female athletes can face when their careers are discussed alongside those of more highly paid partners.
“That’s right,” she replied, adding that Pogačar earns millions while she earns her own “peanuts.”
She then highlighted how women can be unfairly judged in relationships involving successful athletes, saying that if couples separate, women can be accused of wanting money despite having achieved nothing themselves. Žigart told the commenter to focus on his own health and family while she concentrated on her recovery.
The 29-year-old has endured a difficult year despite producing some of the strongest results of her career. She finished sixth overall at the Vuelta a España and eighth at the Giro d’Italia before crashing at the Faun Tour Femmes.
Her latest accident came after she had recorded two top-10 finishes and moved into third place overall. The jaw fracture was particularly unfortunate because she had already suffered the same injury during the Tour de Suisse in June. She recovered in time to compete at the Tour de France Femmes but was unable to fully build on her earlier success.
Meanwhile, Pogačar has also begun his own recovery after his season-ending Vuelta a España crash.
Just 17 days after the accident, the five-time Tour de France champion returned to an indoor trainer. In a video posted on Instagram, Pogačar showed himself riding indoors while still carrying visible injuries from the crash.
“First time back. Collarbone strong, head strong, heart rate high. And super happy, let’s go,” the Slovenian said.
Pogačar crashed with around 31 kilometres remaining on stage eight while leading the Vuelta by almost four minutes. He had already won three stages during the opening week.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader suffered a broken collarbone, a stable cervical fracture and concussion. The injuries ruled him out for the remainder of the season, including his planned defence of the world title in Montreal.
Pogačar and Žigart are now recovering at the same time. He recently described September as not going according to plan but said they had good company while thanking their teams, families, friends and supporters for their encouragement.
The pair have also been sharing lighter moments online as they deal with their respective recoveries.
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