Tadej Pogacar wants to make shock RETURN this weekend - UAE rider reportedly pushing team to ride major race despite ending 2026 campaign
CyclingTuesday, 29 September 2026 at 09:23
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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- Urska recently proved that one bad crash can be followed by another, with injuries to exactly the same area. Pogi should not risk it.Hills3329-09-2026
- Unfortunately del Toro and Seixas spent too much time watching and marking out each other instead of other dangerous riders.Lozza29-09-2026
- RTV SLO: "Today, the Slovenian national team for the home European Cycling Championships will be announced. Tadej Pogačar may even be included on the list." Pogi wants to race, UAE don't want him to race. I personally agree with the UAE bosses, Pogi has nothing more to prove this year... but ... Pogi is feeling good. He doesn't need to be 100% and can still win. Maybe use the ECC as a preparation for Il Lombardia, the last Monument. The only thing that worries me is him crashing hard again. It could be a catastrophe. I just hope Pogi and his team make the right decision.PogiSloFans29-09-2026
- @abstractengineer said: "The difference between Del Toro and Pogi was never more evident at the WC in Montreal." I agree with him, we can't compare Pogi and Del Toro. But the fact is Del Toro didn't have a good team and was left by himself. On the other hand, the Belgians had the best team, but Remco and Wout also got nothing. ZERO!!! It was pathetic and sad watching both of them, Wout in front, Remco behind him, both struggling and out of breath. Why, I don't know, there is absolutely no excuse. I repeat myself "NO EXCUSE"!!! The Belgians were the biggest losers in Montreal.PogiSloFans29-09-2026
- Hey buddy! You're in no position to give me warnings... capish? As for politics in cycling, Quinn Simmons did it to himself in the 2020 controversy of his racism: A cycling journalist had criticized supporters of Donald Trump and asked them to unfollow her. Simmons replied “bye” with a waving-hand emoji using a Black skin tone. When another user asked whether he was a Trump supporter, Simmons replied that he was and always will be, accompanied by a U.S. flag emoji. The Black-hand emoji was interpreted as being racist or as an example of “digital blackface.” ... Trek-Segafredo (that's what they were called at that time) responded very strongly, saying his statements were “divisive, incendiary, and detrimental” to the team and suspended him from racing until further notice. The suspension was eventually lifted. Simmons subsequently went through diversity/inclusion education and media training. Trek described this as part of an ongoing effort. Hey, buddy, you got that now???PogiSloFans29-09-2026
- well one team did not lose control, largely due to mvdp and simmon’s strength. i wonder if in hindsight, mvdp might rethink his tactics. i wonder if he indeed would have been strong enough to stay with all the climbers if he had waited a bit longer….og29-09-2026
- commenters comment like well why didn’t they just bridge across, or cover brandon’s move…. i don’t think you know what it’s like to be that gassed at the end of such a brutally long slugfest…. and mcnulty was probably freshest and his one attack looked initially stronger than any of the recent prior attacks, imo.og29-09-2026
- Another young guy putting too much pressure on himself. At only 22 he has time in his favour.Lozza29-09-2026
- Demi's win in the Women's Race, for all the excitement, finished as per the script. This one was one of the few - Alison Jackson's win at PR also comes to mind - that gives hope to all domestiques and breakaway riders that one day, their turn will come and they will achieve their dream.Cooldude29-09-2026
- I agree with you, we can't compare Pogi and Del Toro. But the fact is Del Toro didn't have a good team and was left by himself. On the other hand, the Belgians had the best team, but Remco and Wout also got nothing. ZERO!!! It was pathetic and sad watching both of them, Wout in front, Remco behind him, both struggling and out of breath. Why, I don't know, there is absolutely no excuse. The Belgians were the biggest losers in Montreal.PogiSloFans29-09-2026
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