"Pogacar said ‘please don’t do it, because it’s an old man” - No charges to be pressed against fan who pushed Tadej Pogacar at Giro d'Italia
Cycling
Whilst Tadej Pogacar's sixth stage win of the 2024 Giro d'Italia was another stunning display of the Slovenian's dominance, there was a moment on controversy as the Maglia Rosa was grabbed by a fan at the roadside on the final climb.
Having just attacked from the general classification group, Pogacar was ascending the slopes of Monte Grappa when a man ran over to the UAE Team Emirates leader and pushed him on the lower back. Although surely without malice and just wanting to help his favourite rider, this could have proved incredibly dangerous and Pogacar responded with visible frustration as he verbally lambasted the fan whilst, waving his arms angrily.
There was some talk that the fan in question could see criminal charges pressed as a result. According to the rider's union CPA boss, Adam Hansen however, this won't be happening on the request of Pogacar himself. “The CPA looked into pressing charges against the Italian but Pogacar said ‘please don’t do it, because it’s an old man,” Hansen told Velo. “Because Pogacar said no, my personal opinion is that we should follow that. We shouldn’t push charges onto a person when riders don’t want to do it.”
Although no charges will be pressed on this occasion, Hansen has again urged supporters who flock in their numbers to the roadside to support the peloton to keep themselves at a safe distance from the riders. “The beauty of the sport is that they can be so close, but on the other hand they have to respect that,” he concludes. “We just have to show a sign to the other spectators, the fans, that they have to leave the cyclists alone, because that is what the cyclists want.”
Sadly this isn't the only such incident in recent months either, with a woman throwing a cap at Mathieu van der Poel's wheels during Paris-Roubaix and Filippo Ganna being struck by a selfie taking fan whilst starting his individual time-trial at the Giro d'Italia.
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- I agree, this article is silly. Pogacar won that TdF because he was stronger than Roglic on the time trial not because he was unknown. Each rider has their own strengths and ride to those. Each of the classics and monuments have their own unique features that the riders must strategize.GB25-03-2025
- Yes, I think he still has a lot to say in road cycling. In the CX races he showed a very good gear but... the problem was essentially his NERVOUSNESS then he took bad decisions in finding the best strategies and paths. He needs confidence (calm down) and maybe a very good preparation gave him that.
maria2024202425-03-2025 - I don't believe so sadly, much as pulling another rider into that group I think Tadej and MVDP have raised the game so far they are essentially untouchable. The spoils of this season will be split between them, I believe Tadej will take RVV, LBL and Lombardia, MVDP MSR and Roubaix. I'm not even sure Remco will be at their level when he comes back. Tadej and MVDP are just a step above everyone elseslappers6625-03-2025
- Tadej and MVDP bring that panache back to cycling that we missed right through the Armstrong years, the Sky years and to an extent the couple of Visma tour wins. Whole team blocking a race, no attacking, no excitement till the leaders jumped away inslappers6625-03-2025
- Glad to know he's confident now, even though he didn't win; it's true, he never complains but in past interviews he often expressed his insecurity and bewilderment when he hadn't won the gold on the track or a time trial.maria2024202425-03-2025
- Would be so cool. Might not be possible regularly but a few, even Jungels showed glimpses of his past form after going through mental deserts.Jumpyjohn25-03-2025
- Yeah, might not feel like leaving his family or ending up like Senna or Schumacher. I’d have no problems with that, critics might have a tough time, finding a new target to focus on, maybe Remco? He’d be more tricky.Mistermaumau25-03-2025
- This is cycling, no pills ;-)Mistermaumau25-03-2025
- Many have points, often even good, one has to decide and it’s basically binary, either yes or no each time, like with elections, there’re always unhappy people.Jumpyjohn25-03-2025
- Get an educationJumpyjohn25-03-2025