UAE Team Emirates-XRG Confirms Pogačar Will Not Race European Championships

UAE Team Emirates-XRG management confirmed that Tadej Pogačar is not racing at the European Championships this autumn. According to team principal Mauro Gianetti, the decision was made considering Pogačar's health following his injuries sustained during the Vuelta a España.

The announcement came just after rumors surfaced suggesting that Pogačar could make a swift comeback to the sport after recovering from a broken collarbone and other injuries. Spanish media outlets, including El Periódico and El País, reported on September 28, 2026, that Pogačar had recovered quickly and was set to join the Slovenian squad for the upcoming road race scheduled for October 4 in Slovenia.

However, these rumors contradicted earlier statements from UAE Team Emirates-XRG management, who maintained that Pogačar would not participate in the championships. Their position was further solidified when Gianetti provided explicit comments to La Gazzetta dello Sport, stating, "His will to be there it's easy to understand, but it's too early, health is priority, so it won't happen."

While the Slovenian Cycling Federation has yet to announce the definitive list of selected riders for the elite men's group, Gianetti's remarks indicate that Pogačar will not defend his title in Ljubljana this weekend. Instead, it appears that the star rider's original plan is to continue resting and aim for a return to racing in January 2027.