"The news hit us like a bomb!" - Post-Tour criterium organizer disappointed with last-minute decision of Tadej Pogacar to miss race

The post-Tour criteriums are one of the most symbolic races of the summer for countries who do not hold Grand Tours, the stars of the Tour de France frequently go to local criteriums over the following weeks to the race, Tadej Pogacar's last-minute decision to miss one has been a heartbreak for the organizers of one.

“The news hit us like a bomb. We were told by Tadej Pogacar's management today that he is making a cross about participating in our criterium," Johny Van den Borre, organizer of the Aalst criterium, told Sporza. "The reason is that Pogacar is too tired after the Tour and wants to rest.”

The winners of classifications and several other riders usually take part in these, with financial incentives also present. However competitively speaking the focus will be elsewhere for Pogacar, who will look to recover after a fatiguing Tour. It is not known which goals he will aim later in the year, however most likely the World Championships and Il Lombardia.

“We immediately switched and so Giulio Ciccone comes with the polka dot jersey to our post-Tour criterium on and around the Grand Place. The fact that Pogacar is not coming is of course a downer. But we can still unpack with green jersey Jasper Philipsen and polka dot jersey Ciccone," Van den Borre concluded, looking to have his race stand out among the many small events that will soon take place.