“The calendar doesn’t matter” - Pogacar and UAE not thinking about the World Championships after surgery in latest update
Cycling
The crash and subsequent withdrawal of Tadej Pogacar on stage eight of La Vuelta a España 2026 pushed any sporting consideration for UAE Team Emirates-XRG completely into the background, with no pressure whatsoever regarding the Worlds or any other race.
Joxean Fernández Matxín, one of the key figures in the UAE squad, explained that the team’s absolute priority now is Pogacar’s recovery and being there for him at a particularly difficult moment.
“Tadej is doing very well, to be honest. He just needs a few days to recover and then he’ll be able to go home,” said Matxín, making it clear that the racing calendar has moved to the background and that they are not thinking about the Worlds.
“Right now the calendar doesn’t matter to me. What counts is the person. This is about Tadej, and we have to be there for Tadej,” added the UAE boss.
Calendar doesn't matter to UAE
Matxín was keen to separate the champion and Vuelta leader from the person behind the rider. For the team, victories, targets, and the general classification are no longer relevant after the crash.
“Right now this isn’t about cycling, it’s about him as a person,” he stated.
The UAE manager explained that the team’s intention is for Pogacar to recover calmly, far from any pressure linked to his upcoming sporting commitments.
Tadej Pogacar, a global star of cycling
“This isn’t about cycling, it’s about him as a person”
“We just want him to have some peace and quiet, to recover, and to be with his family,” said Matxín, a clear message to anyone speculating about him riding the Worlds at the end of the month.
For now, however, the result on the road is secondary.
UAE will continue in the race, but their main concern lies far from the general classification: that Pogacar can recover, rest, and return to his loved ones without any pressure.
“We need to stand with Tadej the person, not Tadej Pogacar the rider, champion or Vuelta leader. We must be with him more in the bad moments than in the good,” Matxín summed up after learning the extent of the situation.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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