The evidence is mounting: Pogačar is pushing for a comeback at the European Championships on home soil

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 to make one last appearance in the rainbow jersey 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.

UAE to stick with the end of the season

UAE Team Emirates-XRG had declared the Slovenian’s season over following the accident. The team emphasised on several occasions that there were no plans for him to return to competition in 2026. The final decision on whether he will compete in the European Championships now rests with the team, which would need to adjust the recovery plan drawn up following the accident. Tadej Pogačar made a surprise appearance on Slovenia’s provisional start list for the continental race in Ljubljana.

Returning 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 roller 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.”

Lombardy as another target for Tadej Pogačar

Competing in the European Championships would, of course, raise further questions. Tadej Pogačar might also consider taking part in the Tour of Lombardy on 10 October. This would completely alter the end of the season as originally planned. He has won the Tour of Lombardy five times in a row, and the Monument seems almost synonymous with the Slovenian cycling star’s name. His autumn programme would also have included the World Championships in Montreal, which took place without the Slovenian.

Neither start has been officially confirmed, but it would be typical of Tadej Pogačar to make another unexpected return to racing this season. This would drastically shake up his rivals’ chances.