EURO UPDATE: UAE team manager comments on Pogacar’s possible comeback

Four weeks after his crash in the Vuelta a España, Tadej Pogačar is back training on the road. The Slovenian used the ride around Monaco as an opportunity to be seen in the rainbow jersey one last time before Sunday’s At the World Championships, his team-mate Brandon McNulty clinched the rainbow jersey. He was accompanied by his partner Urska Zigart, as well as Eddie Dunbar and Gladys Verhulst-Wild, who are also recovering from injuries.

Medical clearance for Tadej Pogačar

Dr Xavier Mir, who operated on Pogačar following his crash in Barcelona, considers his recovery to be satisfactory. From a medical point of view, there are no objections to him competing, as reported by the Spanish newspaper El País. The surgeon had treated the 28-year-old’s displaced collarbone fracture. The injuries also included a stable fracture of the C7 cervical vertebra and a concussion, which Tadej Pogačar sustained on 29 August during the eighth stage of the Vuelta.

​Back as defending champions

The European Championships in Ljubljana on 4 October hold special significance for Pogačar. As the reigning champion, he would be competing on home soil. Two weeks earlier, he had started training on the rollers before returning to the road for the first time last Saturday. On social media, he commented on the ride, saying: “First day back, last day in the rainbow jersey.”

Team manager Gianetti bans players from taking part in the European Championships

UAE Team Emirates-XRG had declared the Slovenian’s season over following the crash. The team emphasised on several occasions that there were no plans for him to return to competition in 2026. Now, team principal Mauro Gianetti has spoken out once again regarding a possible start at the European Championships. In an interview with the Italian newspaper *Gazzetta dello Sport*, the Swiss manager made it absolutely clear that Pogacar would not be competing in the European Championships: “His desire to take part is understandable, but it is still too early.”

Nevertheless, it does not seem entirely out of the question that he might take part this coming Sunday. Pogacar is not only the undisputed star of his team, but also wields considerable influence within it. Should the five-time Tour de France winner continue to press for a start, his voice is likely to carry more weight than that of many other professionals. Especially as the European Championships offer two particular incentives: the chance to defend his title and the fact that they are being held in his home country. Officially, everything currently points against him competing, but with a rider of Pogacar’s calibre, the final word may not necessarily have been spoken yet.