Tadej Pogacar wants to make shock RETURN this weekend - UAE rider reportedly pushing team to ride major race despite ending 2026 campaign
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar is reportedly pushing to make a shock return to racing this season despite ending his campaign due to injuries. However, after returning to outdoor riding last week, the UAE Team Emirates rider wants to ride this weekend's European Championships road race for Slovenia.
Pogacar's Vuelta a Espana came to a dramatic halt at the end of August as the red jersey wearer crashed hard, breaking his collarbone, fracturing his C7 vertebrae and sustaining a concussion.
After surgery on the collarbone, a period of recovery and a return to indoor training with his coach, it seemed like the 28-year-old was slowly winding up for a return next season. But after posting snaps of him training outdoors for the first time last week, the Slovenian has reportedly got larger and much more pressing ambitions.
According to El Pais, he contacted the surgeon who operated on his collarbone, Xavier Mir to ask for medical clearance to return to racing in the Slovenia European Championships on October 4th.
Doctor clears Pogacar medically
The report states that Doctor Mir cleared the Tour de France winner medically to compete, stating that there were no medical obstacles preventing him from competing in the race.
With Pogacar reportedly preliminarily selected beforehand in case of recovery, the report indicates that it now comes down to UAE Team Emirates - XRG allowing their rider to make a return.
The report states that UAE favour patience and time to allow Pogacar to recover ahead of the new season, while it appears Pogacar is now advocating to make the return.
Pogacar eyeing Slovenia homecoming
Pogacar's motivation to return just over a month after his injuries are likely fuelled by the prospect of a home European Championships, with the race itself set to pass through the five-time Tour winner's hometown. After winning his first European title in 2025, he could be seeking to win a second in a row.
Pogacar has not raced in Slovenia since winning the national championships three years ago. He woulld arrive at the Ljubljana showcase as defending European champion should he make a sensational return to racing.
Pogacar lost his rainbow jersey on Sunday, riding in the jersey for the last time on Saturday before Brandon McNulty's sensational Montreal attack saw him crowned a deserved next world champion. Pogacar won't have to look far to catch a glimpse of the world champion's jersey with teammate McNulty often a key lieutenant in major races.
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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