UPDATE: Tadej Pogacar seemingly confirmed to skip Paris Olympic Games
Cycling
After dominant wins at the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France already in 2024, there was some talk that Tadej Pogacar could even aim for another historic double with Olympic Gold and the Rainbow Jersey.
According to the Slovenian's agent, Johnny Carrera, who manages the affair of the UAE Team Emirates leader alongside his brother Alex though, this may not be the case anymore. "We will decide in the next few days," he explains in quotes collected by Bici Sport. "The world championship is certain, it is his other big goal. And I think the same can be said for the Lombardy. But I would not guarantee one hundred percent his presence at the Olympics. Given his status he should participate to win, but we are talking about a unique race of its kind that would be held in just ten days."
As mentioned, Pogacar has already had a fairly busy schedule in 2024 so far, with a pair of Grand Tours under his belt already. As such, Pogacar may now rest up instead, and prepare for the Zurich World Championships, where he will again start with big hopes.
Currently, the Slovenian delegation for the men's road race at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is expected to contain the likes of Luka Mezgec, Jan Tratnik and Matej Mohoric alongside Pogacar, with it not yet known who if anyone would replace Pogacar should he pull out.
Update
It has now been seemingly confirmed that Pogacar will indeed not be present at the Paris Olympics. "Now just confirmed the scenario of which we already wrote on Sunday: no Olympics for
Very surprised that Pogi turns down one of his remaining 2 or possibly 3 more chances to win Olympic gold.
I think he skipped in solidarity with his Gf because his GF was not selected for the Olympics. Another 10-20 days would not impact his schedule for the WC
Skipping the Olympics bolsters his chances at WC and Lombardy.
I was hoping he might do just the time trial so he could wear that jersey while time trialing for the next four years. Winning the Vuelta would be even be more historic though with all three in the same calendar year.
There is no special Olympic jersey the TT winner wears the following 4 years!
Vuelta, Vuelta, Vuelta... Maybe if I say it enough it will happen lol
I agree he's not a machine but he's also 25 at the peak of his powers. I think he could do it if he wanted it.
He has the future to think about ! Long term vs burning out short term. Let the guy have a life !
He is not MACHINE but he is not HUMAN either. If there were 4 or 5 big Tours per year he could ride them all! In POGI we trust.
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