Slovenian national coach confirms Tadej Pogacar wants to race full 2026 European Championships at home; but decision is to be made after Tour de France

Tadej Pogacar is the current World and European champion on the road, but one of the few top titles he has never taken are the time trial events. The Worlds are perhaps too much of a stretch at the time being but the UAE Team Emirates - XRG has expressed interest to ride the Europeans later this year which will take place in his home country of Slovenian.

"For now, none of our riders have turned down a possible call-up to the European Championships, where we will have maximum places available," Slovenian national coach Uroš Murn said in an interview with SIOL.

This is ultimately good news for the Slovenians, who will have a home race with the defending champion at the start. But in a course that is less selective than last fall's in Ardèche; Pogacar will need good support such as the likes of Primoz Roglic, Matej Mohoric, Jan Tratnik and Jakob Omrzel. Murn's words indicate that all may be at the start, if healty.

But for the Europeans the choices won't be made too early, and for the big leaders this will only be fully decided in the months leading up to the race. "However, the final decisions will be made after the end of the 2026 Tour de France, both for the European Championships and the World Championships".

And when it comes to the time trial event, the team can have good chances of succeeding with both Primoz Roglic and Tadej Pogacar who would be backed by the home crowd. The latter may race it, despite the proximity to Il Lombardia - three days, a race that means a lot to Pogacar and his legacy.

"Jan Tratnik and Tadej Pogacar have expressed their desire to also participate in the time trial," Urn confirmed. "Even though it will take place only three days before Il Lombardia".

As for Primoz Roglic the decisions will be made later in the year, with the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe rider aiming for the Vuelta a España later in the year which will mean a later fitness peak.

"For him, everything will depend on the outcome of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana. Once that's over, we'll see what his ambitions are, both for the European Championships and the World Championships."