Tadej Pogacar's crash won't scare him from Paris-Roubaix pursuit - "High-speed crashes are more devastating than what might happen at Roubaix"
CyclingFriday, 18 September 2026 at 01:38
Tadej Pogacar is not afraid to back down from his goal of winning Paris-Roubaix, and his Vuelta a Espana crash is a sign that the danger of injuries from a fall exist everywhere - not just the gruelling pavee-littered monument.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider Pogacar is recovering from serious injuries suffered in the first week of the Vuelta a Espana as a concussion, broken collarbone and broken vertebrae ended his season and spurred doubts about the Slovenian's goals for 2027.
Pogacar has lit up the most recent editions of the April monument - raced over bone-shaking cobble segments and a race known for its additional parcours danger for crashes.
However, according to comments from his team manager Mauro Gianetti, Paris-Roubaix is still on the radar and the crash won't affect he or the team's plans to select him for the only monument race he is yet to win.
"We still have the same confidence in Tadej," Gianetti said, speaking to RAI on the show Radio Corsa last week.
Tadej Pogacar racing at Paris-Roubaix
Gianetti says worst crashes happen away from Roubaix
“Roubaix may seem more risky than other races, but when you look at it, the worst crashes with the most serious consequences lately don’t happen there."
Although inherently a more danger-filled race than others on the calendar, Gianetti perhaps acknowledged that danger lies in all forms of racing as they learned from his sudden fall while in control of the race and riding normally in the bunch.
“They happen in races and situations like the one where Tadej crashed [the Vuelta]. Situations where the speed is extremely high, and the whole peloton is packed very closely together.
“High-speed crashes are more devastating than what might happen at Roubaix. If you crash on the pavé, you may be traveling at a lower speed. Roubaix is a difficult race, but we’ve seen that it’s not the only place where you can fall.”
Pogacar continues recovery
Pogacar has responded well to the major setback. Although he'll miss the World Championships, European Championships and Il Lombardia, he has posted to social media in high spirits.
It was confirmed this week that he was back on his indoor trainer, and gently training as his recovery continues. he underwent collarbone surgery just days after his Vuelta crash.
“It was a serious crash. The displaced collarbone fracture required a very complex operation, in addition to the concussion,” he added.
“From there, it was clear that he would not be able to race again this year.”
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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Rafionain-Glas17-09-2026 - So Belgian and therefore so ironic. Start by getting along with or accepting each other and maybe representing your country won’t be such dilemma. Funny how when we hear about this kind of thing it’s always from the same countries, Belgium for the men and The Netherlands for the women, unless of course you count Tadej’s refusal.Mistermaumau17-09-2026
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ScottG17-09-2026 - He won't, neither Seixas nor Del Toro are better climbers or time trialists than him, he is about to be at his physical peak in age.awp17-09-2026
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