“He wanted to ride at all costs” - UAE boss reveals how hard Tadej Pogacar pushed for Euros return before medical staff stepped in
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar did more than simply entertain the idea of defending his European title on home roads. UAE Team Emirates - XRG CEO Mauro Gianetti says the Slovenian pushed hard to make an extraordinary comeback little more than a month after the crash that ended his Vuelta a Espana.
Pogacar ultimately watched the European Championships from the sidelines, but Gianetti has now shed more light on how reluctant the 28-year-old was to let the idea go and why UAE’s medical staff were not prepared to take the risk.
“It was only natural that Tadej wanted to ride the European Championships,” Gianetti told Domestique. “It was a unique opportunity, and the event was essentially organised in his honour, so not to be able to participate was a real shame for him.
“He would have liked to have participated, but our medical staff had to take a rational decision. It wasn’t logical to take such a big risk. Maybe nothing would have happened, but if something did happen, it would have been serious.”
Pogacar suffered a broken collarbone, a cervical fracture and concussion when he crashed out of the Vuelta in the red jersey on August 29. UAE announced after his surgery that he would not race again in 2026, seemingly ending any prospect of appearances at the World Championships, European Championships or Il Lombardia. Within weeks, though, he was already back training.
Tadej Pogacar greets the adoring Slovenian crowd from the convoy at the European Championships ❤️🇸🇮 https://t.co/gTfTLszW5j
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) October 4, 2026
“He wanted to ride at all costs”
Pogacar returned first to indoor training and then, four weeks after the accident, to riding outside. His first outdoor ride came on the final day of his two-year spell in the rainbow jersey, with Brandon McNulty succeeding him as world champion in Montreal the following day.
His name also remained on Slovenia’s wider European Championship entry list, while European Championships general secretary Tomaž Poljanec openly admitted that organisers were still hoping to have him there. “We all want him. This championship was also organised with Tadej Pogacar in mind,” Poljanec said in the build-up.
The final decision still rested with Pogacar, UAE’s medical staff and Slovenia’s selectors, and Gianetti had already made clear five days before the race that the Slovenian’s desire to compete would not override the medical concerns.
“It’s nice to know that a rider like him has so much respect for his people, his nation and the people who had organised the race. He wanted to ride at all costs, and that does him a lot of credit,” Gianetti said. “But on the other hand, you have to respect the reality of the facts, and he accepted not to race, albeit reluctantly. So reason and logic meant he had to say no to taking part.”
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UAE feared the consequences of another crash
Pogacar’s recovery had progressed quickly enough for a return to become a genuine discussion, but UAE were still worried about what another crash could mean so soon after fractures to his collarbone and neck.
Gianetti also played down the idea that the episode had caused any lasting tension inside the team. “I think it was a really good thing that he wanted to ride so much. But then we discussed it, and he understood that he had an important responsibility.”
Pogacar was eventually left out of Slovenia’s final eight-man team and attended the championships without racing. Speaking there, he joked that his form was “very bad” and admitted he was glad not to be on the start line after all.
By Sunday, he was following his home European Championships from the sidelines instead of defending the jersey he had won a year earlier.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Clownboy come up from his parents basement retreat !frieders307-10-2026
- I think what he meant was, look where it got him, so if you’re suggesting Pogi should follow that advice in the same way, I have to question your Agenda coz we’re not far from recent ambiguous suggestions regarding 2 Californian cities.Mistermaumau07-10-2026
- He shone pre-Pogacar, now he's 1 of many Ineos' also-rans, for their budget, they aren't showing many results, you can only wonder if Brailsford can turn this around
leedorney07-10-2026 - We are not far from someone colonising it so probably one day yes. Some are colonising orbits, some have an eye on the moon, deep seas, even mars so who’s going to stop anyone, certainly not the guy grabbing Greenland by the pushies.Mistermaumau07-10-2026
- Hopefully not before he gets his 100... 7 more to go
Rafionain-Glas07-10-2026 - Good for her and to stop the Dutch dominance a little.Mistermaumau07-10-2026
- Really happy for him. Didn’t notice Remco had not entered but am sure that was a nice surprise and relief for Slovenia who otherwise would have no medals to show at all from WC & EC, unlike Spain who did their « powerhouse » description justice.Mistermaumau07-10-2026
- So great to see. The "old" guy still has some life left in the legs! Bravo Primoz!mobk07-10-2026
- couldn't agree more. this might be the perfect moment to retire ... but then, he is obviously good for another couple of years in the peloton!Ketterechts07-10-2026
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