"So close to the end of his cycling career... he could have been paralysed" - Tadej Pogacar's parents reflect on frightening uncertainty ahead of 2027
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar's father has warned that the five-time Tour de France winner could have been paralysed in his Vuelta a Espana crash, as his family confronts the possibility that the injuries which ended his 2026 season could take up to a year to heal completely. The Slovenian has already returned to training, but the discovery of two additional spinal fractures has given his parents fresh cause for concern ahead of 2027.
Speaking to reporters at a preview of Eurosport's new documentary Anatomy of a G.O.A.T. in Ljubljana, Mirko and Marjeta Pogacar discussed the severity of their son's injuries and whether the experience might change his approach to racing. Their comments come just days after Pogacar admitted he was fortunate to be alive following a crash whose consequences proved considerably worse than initially believed.
"He could have been paralysed"
Pogacar's Vuelta ended on 29 August, when he crashed during stage eight between Pucol and Xeraco. He had already won three stages and built a commanding 3:50 advantage over Enric Mas, leaving him well placed to claim the only Grand Tour title missing from his palmares.
The initial diagnosis included a fractured left collarbone, concussion and a fracture to the C7 vertebra in his neck. Surgery was required on his collarbone, and UAE Team Emirates – XRG subsequently confirmed he would miss the remainder of the season, including the World Championships in Montreal, the European Championships on home roads and Il Lombardia.
Further examinations in Slovenia revealed that the damage to his spine was more extensive. A CT scan identified fractures to the T1 and T2 vertebrae, bringing the total to three. Pogacar disclosed the discovery in an interview with The Athletic last week, saying he was "just happy to be alive".
"I think that, after receiving his latest diagnosis, Tadej realises how close he came to the end of his cycling career," his father Mirko told reporters, in comments carried by Siol.net. "If the crash had been slightly worse, he could have been paralysed."
Mirko also questioned whether the experience might change some of the decisions his son makes on the bike. "I think he'll now have to be very careful about how he trains, when he takes risks, and ask himself whether he really needs to do something and whether it's worth it," he said.
Tadej Pogacar in action on Stage 7 of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana
Until August, Pogacar had been enjoying another extraordinary season. He had finally conquered Milan-Sanremo, added further victories at Strade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and finished second to Wout van Aert at Paris-Roubaix. His fifth Tour de France victory followed in July, leaving him one yellow jersey away from establishing a new outright record.
His opening week at the Vuelta suggested there would be little respite for his rivals. Instead, Pogacar underwent collarbone surgery and began a difficult rehabilitation, with the full extent of the damage to his spine only becoming apparent weeks later.
The concussion left him suffering from dizziness and nausea, while the weeks following surgery proved particularly difficult. Speaking to The Athletic, he described feeling depressed during the first fortnight of his recovery. Daily physiotherapy and a gradual return to indoor cycling eventually helped him regain some normality.
"I hope he doesn't rush things"
Pogacar returned to outdoor training in mid-October, roughly seven weeks after the accident. He has since reported that he can carry out most everyday activities without discomfort, although he remains cautious about putting excessive strain on his neck and left arm or risking another fall.
His mother Marjeta told reporters that the fractured vertebrae could take up to a year to heal completely. "That's how long it will take for the bones to heal fully, so I hope he doesn't rush things and waits before returning to racing, even if that means taking longer," she said.
The estimate concerns complete bone healing rather than a prediction that Pogacar will be unable to compete for another year. His progress has already allowed him to resume training, and there has been no announcement suggesting his planned 2027 return has been postponed.
Marjeta also raised the possibility of consequences extending beyond the physical injuries. "I hope this injury hasn't left him with any fear on the bike, because that could become a handicap for him going forward," she explained.
Pogacar has given no indication that he is frightened of returning to competition. His recent comments have focused on rebuilding his fitness and deciding which objectives to pursue next season.
He has recovered from significant injuries before, most notably the wrist fracture sustained at Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2023, which disrupted his preparations for that year's Tour de France. This time, however, the additional spinal injuries were not even identified until weeks after his crash.
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A sixth Tour title, unfinished Vuelta business and a decision approaching
Another Tour de France victory in 2027 would take Pogacar beyond Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain, all of whom won the race five times. He could also complete the set of Grand Tours by returning to the Vuelta, where his 2026 campaign ended while he held a seemingly secure lead.
Pogacar has identified the Tour, Vuelta and World Championships as his three major objectives for next season. The latter will take place in Haute-Savoie, where he hopes to regain the rainbow jersey he was unable to defend in Montreal.
His full programme remains undecided. UAE Team Emirates – XRG have presented him with three possible calendars, and Pogacar recently suggested that another spring Classics campaign and a return to the UAE Tour were both likely. His agent Alex Carera has meanwhile indicated that a return to the Vuelta is more probable than another Giro d'Italia appearance.
The team's December training camp should bring a final decision on his programme, including the timing of his competitive comeback.
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At the Ljubljana screening, Mirko also spoke about the temperament that has accompanied his son's remarkable rise through the sport. "I think part of what makes him special is his calmness. He never panics, he's always relaxed. He arrives at a race completely focused, but he approaches everything almost like a game," he explained.
Pogacar's parents recalled that even as a child he rarely showed frustration after losing, although he never lacked the determination to win. "He always reacted very maturely," Mirko said. "We knew he didn't like losing, but he never reacted badly. We also knew that the next time, he would do everything he could to beat us."
It was a revealing recollection from a father who had earlier questioned whether his son would now think twice about taking risks. Pogacar's appetite for racing has helped carry him to five Tour titles, but the next few months will test something less visible than his climbing ability or attacking instincts: his willingness to give his recovery the time it needs.
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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