“There is no benefit in accelerating that process" - UAE Team Emirates - XRG doctor's full Tadej Pogacar update as he ends season
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar's 2026 season is officially over after UAE Team Emirates - XRG confirmed that the Slovenian will not race until 2027. After suffering multiple injuries from a Vuelta a Espana crash, he will miss the World Championships, European Championships and Il Lombardia.
Issuing an update this week, Pogacar underwent surgery for a broke collarbone, broken vertebrae and a concussion. He was released from hospital mid-week and is now recovering at home.
There was initially speculation that Pogacar could try to return and defend his rainbow jersey in Montreal, but with just over three weeks until the race, Pogacar will instead focus on recovery and not return to action promptly.
“Tadej is progressing well following surgery and we are very satisfied with his recovery to this point," Dr. Adrian Rotunno, Medical Director, said.
"However, given the combination of his injuries – the concussion, the stable C7 cervical fracture and the open clavicle fracture – we have taken the decision, together with Tadej, that he will not return to competition this season."
Tadej Pogacar reappears after his La Vuelta crash
UAE issue update on Pogacar's recovery
Medically speaking, his injuries require a longer rehabilitation period so as not to risk any complications in the recovery from his fractures, as well as monitoring his brain after a concussion.
“From a medical perspective, his health is paramount, and the priority now is to allow each of these injuries to heal fully and to progress through his rehabilitation in a controlled manner.
“The post-operative clavicle and cervical fracture will both require a structured period of rehabilitation. Equally important is the need for him to progress carefully through a graduated concussion recovery protocol, with ongoing neurological monitoring.
Pogacar's focus on recovery
Once the doctors give the go ahead, he will return to training and opt for a gradual increase in workload, meaning the cycling world will have to wait until at least early 2027 before the Slovenian is back in full tilt.
"Only once he is medically recovered and personally ready, clearance to gradually start increasing training load can be given.
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“There is no benefit in accelerating that process simply to meet a racing deadline. Removing the pressure allows Tadej to focus entirely on his recovery, with the objective of returning to full training and competition when he is completely ready.”
The news represents a blow for Pogacar, who not only misses out on making it a third World Championships in a row, but also a home European Championships that would have seen him race on home roads and defend his title.
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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- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
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- Love this guy. He is such a pure racer.mij07-11-2026
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