“People think because of Tadej things are easier for me, but in reality it’s the opposite” – Urska Zigart admits added pressure under Pogacar spotlight has not been ‘easy’
Cycling
The assumption has followed her for years. If you are engaged to Tadej Pogacar, doors must open more easily. Results must come with less resistance. The path must somehow be smoother. For Urska Zigart, the reality has been very different.
Speaking in an extended interview with Siol, the Slovenian national champion addressed the narrative that has trailed her throughout her career and explained why the spotlight attached to Pogacar has often brought greater scrutiny rather than advantage.
“At the start of my career, it was difficult because I was quickly thrown into the spotlight because of Tadej,” she said.
“Many people think that because of Tadej, things are often easier for me, but in reality, it is often the opposite," added Zigart. "Expectations are higher, and I am even more under scrutiny.”
Scrutiny before results
Zigart’s progression in the Women’s WorldTour has been steady rather than explosive. After signing with AG Insurance - Soudal, she produced one of the strongest seasons of her career, finishing runner-up at the Tour de Romandie Feminin, fifth overall at the Tour de Suisse Women and ninth at the Giro d'Italia Women, earning herself a contract extension.
But long before those results began to define her sporting identity, the public narrative had already attached itself. “At the start, it was not easy,” she continued, explaining that the external attention arrived before she had the chance to establish herself purely on racing terms.
The assumption that being linked to one of cycling’s biggest stars simplifies a career is, in her words, misplaced. Instead, it can magnify every performance and every setback.
“People are watching me regardless of what I do, also because of Tadej,” she said. “Many think it is easier for me because of him, but often it is the opposite.”
Learning to manage the noise
Part of adapting to that environment has meant changing her relationship with social media. Pogacar himself has previously described platforms as a “poison” of modern society, and Zigart has taken her own steps to limit exposure.
“It certainly helps that I have stepped back somewhat from social media and spend less time there,” she explained. She revealed that she deleted the X app from her phone more than a year ago and now maintains a private Instagram profile for close friends only. “In short, what you do not know does not hurt.”
The shift has been part of a broader effort to maintain balance in a career that is increasingly high profile. Within her team structure, she also works with support staff, including access to psychological guidance when needed.
“I am still learning,” she admitted when asked how she manages pressure. “I do not know whether any athlete can manage that one hundred per cent.”
Higher expectations, not fewer
If anything, the link to Pogacar has raised the bar rather than lowered it.
Now 29 and entering what many consider a rider’s prime years, Zigart’s role within AG Insurance - Soudal is also evolving. She is no longer one of the youngest in the squad and increasingly finds herself guiding emerging talents while carrying greater performance responsibility herself. “With more opportunities for results comes perhaps a little more pressure,” she noted. “But on the other hand, when if not now.”
The spotlight may not dim. The comparisons may not disappear. But for Zigart, the narrative has shifted from surviving scrutiny to defining her own trajectory within it.
And if the assumption persists that proximity to Pogacar makes life simpler, her answer remains clear: the reality has rarely felt that way.
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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