Tadej Pogacar has opted to end his season early after crashing out of the Vuelta a Espana, meaning he will miss out on the opportunity to win a straight hat-trick of world titles.
The Slovenian won the rainbow jersey in Zurich in 2024 and defended his title on the most gruelling course in the race’s history in Kigali last year, but will not take to the start line in Montreal at the end of this month.
His absence leaves the door open to the likes of former world champion Remco Evenepoel, Pogacar’s trade teammate Isaac del Toro and French starlet Paul Seixas.
Pogacar’s team, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, announced the news on Saturday alongside confirmation that the 27-year-old has extended his contract with the squad until the end of the 2023 season. He has been with the team since 2019.
It said: “Following his crash at La Vuelta, Tadej will not return to racing this season as he focuses fully on his recovery and rehabilitation.”
Pogacar said: “From the beginning, this team has felt like home to me. We’ve grown together over the years and shared some incredible moments, so I’m very happy to extend my contract through 2032. There is still a lot I want to achieve in this sport, and I believe this is the right place to do it. I’m very grateful for the trust the team has shown in me and excited for what we can continue to build together.”
Pogacar had been aiming to become just the ninth man in history to complete the set of grand tour titles after winning his fifth Tour de France in dominant fashion this summer as well as the 2024 Giro d’Italia.
He was the overwhelming favourite to take victory in Spain and led the race by nearly four minutes before he crashed on an innocuous stretch of road on stage eight, fracturing his collarbone and sustaining a cervical fracture as well as a concussion.
He later underwent successful surgery on the clavicle fracture.
His decision to end his season now also means he will be unable to defend his European title on home soil in Ljubljana next month, as well as meaning he will miss out on the final Monument of the season, Il Lombardia, which he has won a record five consecutive times. No rider has ever won the Italian Classic six times.
Pogacar added: “Right now, the most important thing is to recover properly and give my body the time it needs.”
