For cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar, the season is well and truly over – but he has extended his contract with Team UAE early, until 2032. Following his crash at the Vuelta, the Slovenian will not be returning to racing this season, “but will instead focus entirely on his recovery and rehabilitation”, his team explained.
Pogacar said that the most important thing was “to recover properly and give my body the time it needs”. He added: “Of course, this isn’t how I wanted to end my season.”
Dream of defending the World Cup title dashed
The 27-year-old won the Tour de France for the fifth time this summer. However, a week ago, during the Vuelta a España – a race he has never won – he suffered a serious crash, breaking his left collarbone and sustaining a concussion. There had been much speculation as to whether Pogacar, as the defending champion, would still be able to compete in the World Road Race Championships in Montreal, Canada, on 27 September. His participation is now definitively off the cards.
However, he intends to remain loyal to his UAE team for a long time to come. “Right from the start, this team has felt like a home to me. We’ve grown together over the years and experienced some incredible moments,” said Pogacar regarding his contract extension.
Pogacar hasn’t won everything yet
The two-time world champion had signed a contract two years ago running until 2030. Given his dominance in recent years, there had been speculation that he might retire at the end of his contract. Pogacar has now put an end to this speculation. As well as a victory in the Vuelta, he is still missing Olympic gold and a win in the one-day classic Paris–Roubaix.
“I still want to achieve a great deal in this sport, and I’m convinced that this is the right place to do so. I’m very grateful to the team for the trust they’ve placed in me, and I’m looking forward to what we can still build together,” said Pogacar.
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