Tadej Pogačar will miss the European Road Championships in Slovenia after the serious crash that ended his 2026 Vuelta a España campaign, leaving the defending European champions without one of the biggest names in their home event.
Pogačar had been expected to be one of Slovenia’s central figures at the championships, particularly after winning the European road race title in 2025. The 2026 edition was set to give him the opportunity to defend that title on home soil, in front of thousands of Slovenian supporters.
Those plans changed dramatically following his crash during Stage 8 of the Vuelta a España on August 29. Pogačar was wearing the race leader’s red jersey when he went down heavily with around 32 kilometres remaining. He was unable to continue and was taken for medical treatment.
Medical examinations revealed a displaced fracture of his left collarbone, a stable fracture of the C7 vertebra in his neck, a concussion and multiple cuts and abrasions. His collarbone injury required surgery, which was successfully carried out in Barcelona on August 31.
The injuries ultimately brought Pogačar’s 2026 racing season to an early end. UAE Team Emirates-XRG confirmed that the Slovenian would not return to competition before the end of the year, ruling him out of both the World Championships in Canada and the European Championships in Slovenia.
His absence will be particularly noticeable at the European Championships because Slovenia is hosting the event. The championships will bring together riders from more than 50 national teams, with races taking place across several Slovenian locations, including Ljubljana, Kranj, Kamnik and surrounding areas.
For Slovenia, defending the European title without Pogačar represents a major change from the plans that surrounded the event before his injury. The 2025 champion will instead have to watch from the sidelines as his national teammates attempt to keep the European jersey in Slovenian hands.
Pogačar’s partner and fellow professional cyclist Urška Žigart has also spoken about his absence, saying there was disappointment that he would not be able to compete but that he would still be present to support the Slovenian team.
There has been some confusion over Pogačar’s status because his name briefly appeared on a preliminary European Championships start list. However, reports have explained that the list appears to be outdated, while his team has maintained that he will not race again in 2026.
Pogačar has since begun his rehabilitation and recently returned to indoor cycling as part of his recovery. His focus is now on allowing his body to heal properly rather than rushing back into competition.
For Slovenian cycling, the European Championships will therefore be about moving forward without its defending men’s champion. Pogačar’s absence will be felt throughout the event, but his recovery remains the priority as Slovenia prepares to defend its European title on home roads without the rider who won it a year earlier.
Be the first to comment