Takelast week
Pogačar skips Euros, says his own form wasn't there
Tadej Pogačar was left off Slovenia's roster for the 2026 UEC European Road Championships in Ljubljana, the title he won solo a year earlier. He showed up anyway, riding in the race director's car and waving on the Možjanca climb. «I know my shape is kind of really bad, and I don't wish to be riding out today,» he said, after Slovenia's coach called the absence ‘more of a personal decision by him.’
What this means
Roglič led Slovenia's team in Pogačar's absence, and the 2025 champion's title defense ends without him on the start line.
Pogačar crashed out of the Vuelta a España in stage 8, breaking his collarbone and his C7 vertebra, with a concussion on top. Team boss Mauro Gianetti had already blocked a return for the Euros, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport that «his desire to be there is understandable, but it is too early. His health comes first, so it will not happen.» What makes this one different is Pogačar's own account of the shift: «A week or two ago, though, I was really eager to be on the start today.» Primož Roglič led Slovenia in his place, on the roads Pogačar wasn't ready for.
Sources
'I know my shape is kind of really bad'- Tadej Pogačar comes to terms with missing European Championships in Slovenia2026 European Road ChampionshipsPogacar's European Championships absence was his own call, says Slovenia coachRoad cycling: Tadej Pogačar crashes out of La Vuelta a España2026 European Championships: Tadej Pogacar definitively not part of Slovenian squadIt's official: Pogačar will not race the European Championships and Roglič will lead Slovenia
Analysed 6 sources, written and summarised with AI · How we work