"I hope that Remco recovers quickly" - Tadej Pogacar sends message of support to Evenepoel after training horror crash

Over the course of 2024, Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel were two of the most successful stars, hoovering up Grand Tours, Monuments, World Championship titles and Olympic gold medals between them. Ahead of the 2025 season though, Evenepoel was dealt a massive blow earlier this week.

During a training ride in Belgium earlier this week, Evenepoel was surprised by the opening door of a BPost van and left seriously hurt as a result. With the resultant injuries of the crash including a dislocated collarbone, broken bones and lung contusions, Evenepoel has admitted any plans he had of winter preparation have been scuppered. Instead of attempting to continue improving and get closer to Pogacar's level, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader is now set for a festive period off the bike recovering. 

Read also

"I live the reality of the danger of cycling in traffic almost every day" - Tadej Pogacar joins UN campaign for greater road safety

Although Evenepoel is arguably Pogacar's biggest rival when looking at the yearly season as a whole, the UAE Team Emirates is hopeful his rival can get back to his best level ready for a Tour de France showdown in the summer of 2025.

“I sent him a message to wish him a speedy recovery,” reveals Pogacar at the 2024 Vélo d'Or awards ceremony, in which he scooped up the Eddy Merckx Trophy and the Velo d'Or awards for best Classics rider and best overall rider of 2024. "He doesn't have to stress. It's winter, but we all know that we are now laying the foundation for next season. That's why I hope that Remco recovers quickly and doesn't carry that fall with him on the bike."

Pogacar himself has been a big advocate of better road safety conditions for cyclists, recently joining a UN campaign. “As a professional cyclist the open road is my workplace, and I live the reality of the danger of cycling in traffic almost every day," said the Slovenian in a statement for the UN's 'Make a Safety Statement' campaign. “I am not alone, as millions of people around the world ride their bikes to work, school or just for leisure. The ability for people to ride their bikes safely is something we need to protect. I am happy to support this campaign and believe that together we can help to make the roads safer for everyone, cyclists and motorists alike.”

Read also

ANALYSIS: Remco Evenepoel joins Egan Bernal and Chris Froome on the list of nasty training crashes – but is there anything cycling can do about it?