The day after winning the Tour de France, Tadej Pogačar shocked the cycling world by announcing he wouldn’t be at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Citing fatigue, Slovenian Olympic coach Uroš Murn announced that the UAE Team Emirates rider will forgo his spot in both the road race and the time trial.
“Unfortunately, Tadej Pogačar has canceled his participation because of extreme fatigue,” Murn said in a statement. Many wondered if there was more to his decision—namely, the exclusion of his fiancée, pro cyclist Urška Žigart.
Pogačar expressed his displeasure on social media. “Urška Žigart, two-time national champion and the best Slovenian in stage races, has not been called up for the Olympics. There are no words. And she looks so good in the national team jersey. Always proud of you,” he posted on Instagram.
Pogačar remains determined to become the first cyclist since Stephen Roche in 1987 to win the Triple Crown—the Tour, Giro, and World Championships. Only Eddy Merckx has also achieved this feat. Pogačar’s manager, Johnny Carera, confirmed Zurich as the next goal and emphasized the importance of the World Championships and Lombardia.
On Thursday, fellow Slovenian Luka Mezgec, who is racing in Paris, said that the decision not to race Žigart played a significant role in Pogačar’s choice.
“The official reason that he is tired is not very realistic. Unfortunately, the leaders who make decisions did not foresee all the scenarios,” Mezgec said in an interview with Slovenian TV. “His decision definitely surprised me, as Tadej and I were in contact almost constantly during the Tour de France except for the last few days. We spoke after the Tour, and I regret that the federation couldn’t come to an agreement. He wouldn’t just be one of the main favourites for Olympic gold; he is such a brand and name that even if he didn’t achieve a result, it would bring much more attention to Slovenia. The spotlight would be much more on Slovenia, not just on Tadej.”
Mezgec believes that given Pogačar’s stature, the leaders should have made every effort to ensure his presence in Paris. “If there was a one percent chance that he would want to stay home for any reason, that percentage would have been much smaller if Urška were here. Where Urška is, there is Tadej. It might sound harsh, but maybe they should have risked one spot for Urška, even if she wasn’t the best. Still, even if she wasn’t, they should have ensured Tadej’s presence with this move, but they didn’t. Unfortunately, the leaders who make decisions did not foresee all the scenarios.”
Fellow Slovenian Matej Mohorič even went so far as to change his mind and race alongside the Milan-San Remo winner. “The decision surprised me. He told me during the Tour. I didn’t feel indifferent. I tried to persuade him, but I also understand his decision and logic. Unfortunately, it is what it is.”
Canadian Cycling Magazine will have reports from the road races in Paris, so be sure to check our Olympic section on the website, as well as our Instagram account for photos and videos from the races.
