Tadej Pogacar back on his bike 28 days after crash as he shows off surgery scars - "First day back, last day with the rainbow"
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar is back on his bike, training outdoors for the first time since his horror crash at the Vuelta a Espana that saw him break his collarbone, C7 vertebrae and sustain a concussion. His injuries ended his season as the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider looks ahead to 2027.
But 28 days after his Vuelta red jersey bid was brought to a premature end, the Slovenian was out for a ride, seemingly around his Monaco home, alongside Urska Zigart and other riders as he took the final opportunity to ride in the rainbow jersey.
With the World Championships without his presence meaning a new world champion will be crowned by Sunday evening, the UAE leader and Tour winner took advantage of the timing to once again don the rainbow stripes, a jersey that has become synonymous with him over the past two years.
Posting to social media, Pogacar and Zigart were joined by Eddie Dunbar and Gladys Verhulst-Wild. Both riders are also recovering from a broken collarbone and in a video as part of Pogacar's post, all three riders showed off their surgery scars. Zigart also suffered a broken jaw for the second time this season earlier this month.
Pogacar rides outside after surgery
Posting to Instagram, Pogacar said: "First day back, last day with the rainbow". However, the ride seems to be his first outdoor spin as he was seen riding alongside Pinarello Q36.5 rider Dunbar, who broke his collarbone after winning stage 19 of the Vuelta, less than two weeks after the Slovenian's season was ended.
Pogacar underwent surgery days after his Vuelta crash as a broken vertebrae and concussion made his comeback timeline a little less straightforward. But as he returns to outdoor riding, fans will be excited to see him ramp up his preparations for 2027.
But the 28-year-old is missing one of the key parts of his season that would have seen him compete in Montreal, at the European Championships in Slovenia next week and then Il Lombardia on October 10th.
Remco Evenepoel ahead of the 2026 World Championships in Montreal
Evenepoel the favourite for Montreal
The rainbow jersey race has taken a totally different form in his absence. With favourites such as Remco Evenepoel, Paul Seixas and Isaac del Toro, the race is open for other attackers such as Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Ben Healy among others to compete for the rainbow jersey.
Second behind Pogacar at last year's Worlds and Europeans, as well as the Tour de France this year, Evenepoel is the market favourite.
This week, the Belgian acknowledged the favourite tag as he discussed the race.
“Based on the results of my latest races, probably yes,” he said. “In May it was a different story. Fine, I accept your question. Am I the favourite? I’ll say yes.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
- If Tiberi has a better and more consistent 2027 I somehow doubt it will be because of this victorious warning. Unless his preparation has been off, cycling isn't football.flyer07-11-2026
- Love this guy. He is such a pure racer.mij07-11-2026
- Fair enough. Everyone’s entitled to one and I respect yours! Nothing wrong with being a one week and GT guy if that’s his vibemij07-11-2026
- LOL...it's a predetermined finish ! N one is 'clashing' at these exhibition crits!frieders307-11-2026
- Surely the UCI and the race organisers have a responsibility to ensure the best medical care is available to riders when incidents like this happen. All very well pushing for global expansion but not so good if riders lives are put at risk because medical support is not up to scratch.Andy12306-11-2026
- Well it clearly helps that this was Pidcock's own car, no?Occam06-11-2026
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