Tadej Pogacar back on his bike 28 days after crash as he shows off surgery scars - "First day back, last day with the rainbow"
CyclingSunday, 27 September 2026 at 09:55
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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- Del Toro is one of my favourites, but when he won in Montreal he was supported by his trade team-mates, who had to calm his self-doubt. Don't know how he'll fare on his own.Hills3327-09-2026
- Lowkey this would actually be really cool @Rafionain-Glasanonymouscyclist27-09-2026
- So you put Remco in the last place...I think he should be higher up the scale. His daddy is already saying: "Remco will win. Pogačar should almost be happy he's injured, because Remco would win in any case."PogiSloFans27-09-2026
- OMG, how many records can be set in only one WC road race: Remco (double gold) or Del Toro (the only Mexican in history) or Seixas (the youngest ever) or... ??? All because of one cyclist, that didn't make it to the WC. The same cyclist that wins Montreal every year. The G.O.A.T. is injured... and some cyclists became lucky... they all got an early Christmas present from Pogi-Santa. The only one to admit that is Wout Van Aert... Remco would never admit it. You all know what Remco's daddy will say if Remco wins?: "Remco would have won the race, even if Tadej Pogačar was there."PogiSloFans27-09-2026
- My preferences in order based on my likeable scale. MVP.. he's a killer IDT Pidcock Paul S. WVE..seems to be good guy RemcoSantiago27-09-2026
- Oh really, Jonas was blasted by a former Danish cyclist? He deserves to be blasted.... Pogi's injuries were bigger and happened later than those of Jonas, but we can already see Pogi training on the road with a smile on his face. Where is Jonas??? I guess he's in his "rabbit hole"... with Trine digging it deeper and deeper. Please, never again compare Pogi to Jonas... NEVER !!! If all cyclists were like Jonas, no one would watch cycling. Having no heart, no passion, and no interest, describes Jonas in a state of emotional numbness, detachment, and an inability to care about or enjoy his bike racing. The passion cyclists like Pogi, Remco, MVdP, Van Aert, Pidcock, Del Toro, Seixas... etc. etc. have, is nowhere to be seen in Jonas. He races two to three races a year and that's it. Give me a break.PogiSloFans27-09-2026
- This time around Pogi's injuries were bigger and happened later than those of Jonas, but we can already see Pogi training on the road with a smile on his face. Where is Jonas??? I guess he's in his "rabbit hole"... with Trine digging it deeper and deeper. Please, never again compare Pogi to Jonas... NEVER !!! If all cyclists were like Jonas, no one would watch cycling. Having no heart, no passion, and no interest, describes Jonas in a state of emotional numbness, detachment, and an inability to care about or enjoy his bike and racing it. The passion cyclists like Pogi, Remco, MVdP, Van Aert, Pidcock, Del Toro, Seixas... etc. etc. have, is nowhere to be seen with Jonas. He races two to three races a year and that's it. Give me a break.PogiSloFans27-09-2026
- Non-pros are eligible to ride, it's the Worlds. Last place in the time trial was over 24 minutes slower than Evenepoel, averaging 33.8 km/h, and any serious-ish amateur in Britain can beat that
Rafionain-Glas27-09-2026 - The thing is that del Toro is nowhere as dominant as SaganRafionain-Glas27-09-2026
- And why would Kasia want all 4 together? If that was her goal, she could have helped ELB with the chase.Mistermaumau27-09-2026
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