Urska Zigart's non-selection for the upcoming Paris Olympics has generated notable controversy in Slovenia. The 27-year-old cyclist, who recently finished 12th in the final overall classification of the Giro d'Italia Feminine, received the news by text message from coach Gorazd Penko just before the start of the Tour de Suisse.
According to Zigart, the coach explained to her that he had made the decision since the previous year, however, she questions the criteria used. The Slovenian rider claims that the coach showed preference for Urska Pintar and Eugenia Bujak, who were selected, claiming that it was based more on individual results in one-day races than on her role as a domestique rider during competitions.
The cyclist specifically mentions her participation in races such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where she finished 32nd, arguing that her role was to support other riders, which could have influenced the final decision not to include her in the Olympic team. Zigart initially expressed her frustration on social media, but later qualified her statements, claiming that she was not seeking to generate controversy.
She acknowledged that selection decisions always generate tensions, especially in the context of the Olympic Games. In a gesture of support for her compatriots, she stated that she will cheer on all Slovenians participating in Paris, even though she was deeply disappointed by their absence from the competition.
"I found out about the coach's decision just before the start of Tour de Suisse. I received a text message in which he explained that I had not been selected and that he had made this decision since last year. He told me that he preferred to select Urska Pintar and Eugenia Bujak, and he mentioned to me that he based his decision on the results of the one-day races and not so much on my role during the competitions," Zigart explained in an interview with the Slovenian website 24Ur.
After initially expressing her disappointment on social media, Urska Zigart also reflected on the situation in a subsequent statement: "It was not my intention to create drama. In any sport, problems arise, especially around selection processes, and this is especially true with the Olympics. I will support all Slovenians competing in Paris and will go on with my career with my head held high."
She said she told her partner Tadej Pogacar to not publicly talk on the decision as it was her personal issue. “But I didn’t want to allow that. Tadej also has a team around him for his social media. When he asked me if he could post something, I immediately said no. I let him know that it was my fight.”
🇸🇮 @urskazigart appreciation tweet: she spent many many minutes in front of the peloton working for her teammates and still ended up 12th 💪 🇸🇮 post dedicato alla gran tappa di Urška Zigart, a lungo in testa al gruppo e 12ª all'arrivo 💪 #GirodItaliaWomen @GreenEDGEteam
