"We are organising a birthday party and the birthday boy isn't there" - European Championships boss gutted Tadej Pogacar won't start race
Cycling
The European Championships cake is about to be served, and although Tadej Pogacar isn't there to blow out the candles, the party is by no means over in Slovenia. With the elite men's road race set to take centre stage on Sunday, it's hoped the defending champion's absence won't take away from the day.
Of course, Pogacar will not be at the start line in Ljubljana for a race he had long targeted. His Vuelta crash injuries - a broken collarbone, broken vertebrae and concussion - brought his season to an abrupt end in late August and ruled him out of the World Championships, the Slovenia homecoming and an Il Lombardia record push.
That's not to say Pogacar didn't push to make an unexpected return. The 28-year-old reportedly contacted the surgeon who operated on his collarbone in hopes of gaining medical clearance. However, UAE Team Emirates - XRG and team boss Mauro Gianetti swiftly dashed hopes of a return in favour of an adaquete recovery.
For the European Championships organisers, Pogacar was to be their showpiece in hopes of attracting crowds to the race. His Vuelta crash and subsequent end of season came as a disappointment for more than just the rider.
"On the day of his crash in the Vuelta , life in Slovenia stood still for a day," Rok Lozej, the race director of the European Championships, told Het Nieuwsblad.
Tadej Pogacar
Pogacar's absence a blow for Slovenia
"At least, mine did. It is as if we are organising a birthday party and the birthday boy isn't there. On the other hand, Tadej will be there. He was already riding the course here on Wednesday."
Although the five-time Tour winner is in Slovenia for the weekend, visiting friends and family. He's expected to make an appearance over the course of the race as Slovenian hopes turn towards veteran Primoz Roglic.
"It goes without saying that he will show up somewhere this weekend as well, only he won't be wearing a race number. Hopefully, it won't cause people to stay home.
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Hopes fall on Primoz Roglic
"There are still many great riders at the start; we want to show that Slovenia also has successors for Tadej ready. And there is always Primoz Roglic."
On the bright side, Lozej is happy that the jersey won at his race on Sunday will be represented in the peloton over the next twelve months. Noting that had Pogacar won the World Championships as expected last week, a win in Slovenia would mean the jersey would not be seen as the rainbow bands take priority.
"Oh well, without that crash, Tadej might have become world and European champion again. Now at least we are certain that the European jersey will be seen in the peloton next year as well."
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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- I hope he rides a bitmij15-11-2026
- Greatest athlete this world has ever produced ! LOL ... you definitely are a comdian ! Cycling is so sprecialized and you think he's the greatest athlete ever ! Still laughing !frieders315-11-2026
- b.s. headline. Jonas wasn't told anything, it is just a pundit telling him what to do. the actual article is not even close to the insinuation of the headline.mij15-11-2026
- I think Roglic could have beaten Sepp. not Jonas. I was referring to Sepp.mij15-11-2026
- I'm deeply sick of this guy and his unwillingness to race seriously for more than a month or two. I'll never respect riders who do that. Seixas will be stronger than him next season, and maybe Del Toro as well. I don't even think he'll finish on the podium at any GT where Pogi, Seixas, and Del Toro are racing.megasmacky15-11-2026
- Not a chance in hell.megasmacky15-11-2026
- If you go watch some races from last season other riders that have never caught Jonas...are now catching him. Some are just riding away from him and he can't hold the wheelmd197514-11-2026
- He just doesn't have the desire anymore. I read an article earlier today that said he almost retired last year. His reasoning was he is away from home to much. Visma was able to keep him riding by allowing him to skip certain camps. So, while currently Visma is doing altitude work...Jonas is at home. Which means 2 things. 1- He maybe fresher than other riders. But, not the condition. 2-Is a somewhat slap in the face to others on the team that are supposed to help him win. Yet feel like he hasn't done what they have so perhaps they don't provide as good of protection or they ride more for theme (which the team may not notice).md197514-11-2026
- Roglic could not have won anyway, after Jonas followed him when Roglic decided it was his turn for a stage win. Jonas had already attacked Kuss twice, so it was Jonas who was within seconds of taking the lead before Kuss was 'gifted' the win. It felt a bit like Roglic was being thrown under the bus when the team made his unhappiness public.Hills3314-11-2026
- POG1, another nice doc about our favourite, I watched most of it with a big smile on my face (except for the bits about his crashes 😢 obvs!).Lozza14-11-2026
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