Tadej Pogačar brings cycling’s biggest names to Slovenia, but close friend withdraws at last minute
CyclingFriday, 31 July 2026 at 16:51
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleIt has now been five days since Tadej Pogačar secured his fifth Tour de France victory. The UAE Emirates-XRG Slovenian decided not to ride any post-Tour criteriums in the Netherlands or Belgium, but he is more than happy to make an exception for his home country. In fact, Pogačar has persuaded a sizeable group of fellow professionals to travel to his hometown of Komenda on Friday.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the world of cycling criteriums, attracting the yellow jersey is considered the ultimate prize. Pogačar has won the Tour de France several times in recent years, but has rarely travelled to the Netherlands afterward to show off the famous jersey. He did appear in Surhuisterveen in 2024, but he was absent last year and will not be seen at a Dutch event this season either.
Pogačar’s reported appearance fee is more than €100,000. Despite already being handsomely paid by UAE Emirates-XRG, the Slovenian is also relatively selective when it comes to commitments outside his races and training camps.
His connection with Slovenia is a different matter, of course. Pogačar is an ambassador for the criterium in Komenda and for Sunday’s Pogi Challenge. He also recently donated €100,000 to his home region following severe storm damage and lends his name to the external Tadej Pogacar Foundation and the Pogi junior team.
Read more below the photo!
Tadej Pogacar won his fifth Tour de France.
Pogačar prepares for a busy weekend in Slovenia
A criterium will therefore be held in Komenda on Friday evening, with the Tour de France winner as its headline attraction. “And on Friday night, I’ll be racing a criterium in my hometown, along with a few special guests from the Tour peloton—some really great riders. I’m really grateful they’re coming! On Sunday, we have the Pogi Challenge for families, kids, and recreational cyclists,” Pogačar explained. During the challenge, the Slovenian will attempt to catch a large field of amateur riders who are given a head start.
“So it’s going to be a busy weekend, during which we’ll also be doing a lot for my foundation,” he added, referring to the Tadej Pogačar Foundation. “And hopefully, after that, I’ll be able to watch a few stages of the Tour de France Femmes to see Urška ride.” His fiancée, Urška Žigart, is returning to competition at the Tour de France Femmes after suffering a heavy crash at the Tour de Suisse, where she broke her jaw.
Pogačar attracts cycling stars to Slovenia
Pogačar will certainly not be the only familiar face in Komenda on Friday evening. The Slovenian has managed to attract several riders from the Tour de France peloton. Third-place finisher and UAE teammate Isaac del Toro has been announced, along with Tim Wellens and Felix Großschartner, two riders who helped Pogačar claim his fifth Tour victory.
Filippo Ganna of Netcompany INEOS, Davide Piganzoli of Visma | Lease a Bike, Matteo Trentin, Tudor’s Marco Haller, Jayco AlUla sprinter Pascal Ackermann and Bahrain Victorious rider Matej Mohorič also competed in the Tour de France and are scheduled to appear.
Michael Matthews had also planned to attend, but unfortunately had to undergo another operation on his wrist in Belgium on Friday. “I honestly feel devastated that I can’t be there, but I have to return to Belgium for another operation,” the Australian said. “I hope everyone has a great and safe time.”
Read more below the photo!
Michael Matthews is undergoing surgery again.
Giulio Ciccone of Lidl-Trek, Giulio Pellizzari of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, Mikkel Honoré of EF Education-EasyPost, Luka Mezgec of Jayco AlUla and Jakub Omrzel of Bahrain Victorious have also been announced as VIP riders for the criterium.
What comes next for Pogačar after the criterium remains uncertain. The Slovenian has so far declined to confirm or deny whether he will compete in the Vuelta a España, which begins in his adopted home of Monaco on August 22.
Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
IDL-productions
Clasica San Sebastian 2026 preview | Can Remco Evenepoel claim a record fourth victory?
Marlen Reusser holds nothing back in women’s cycling debate: ‘I’m angry at everything’
Ferrand-Prévot arrives at Tour de France Femmes lighter, meticulously prepared and remarkably relaxed
Despite Kuss and Simmons's best efforts, America comes away from the 2026 Tour de France winless again
A horrific injury stopped him walking for two years, but now the Norwegian Champion has finished the Tour de France
Latest Cycling News
Clasica San Sebastian 2026 preview | Can Remco Evenepoel claim a record fourth victory?
Tour de France Femmes 2026 preview | After the men's Tour de France, it's time for Vollering vs Ferrand-Prevot
Wout van Aert works for Laporte before sealing Tour of Denmark hat-trick
Anna van der Breggen sets modest Tour de France Femmes goal: ‘Top five would make me happy’
Primož Roglič hit by car in training, forced to change Vuelta a España preparation
Popular Cycling News
How Visma | Lease a Bike planned to beat Pogačar at the Tour de France: ‘He looked less brilliant than usual’
Former world champion attacks UAE boss Mauro Gianetti: ‘All team managers and journalists know the truth’
Everyone is raving about Tour de France sensation Seixas, but Patrick Lefevere has doubts: 'Can’t skip any steps'
It's official: Van Aert wins his second consecutive stage in Denmark after a review
Demi Vollering feels alone in menstruation debate: ‘I wish more riders would speak out’
Latest Comments
- I suggest that the contract discussions have been put off not because Del Toro and his representitives expect UAE to sign Seixas, which I consider highly unlikely, but rather because he and his reps don't want to set a ceiling on a new contract until they see the size and length of Seixas' deal. That, or so it seems to me, is the actual reason for Del Toro putting off talks on an extension. Because the idea that Seixas would sign with a team that already has three young world-class GC contenders, including the G.O.A.T., seems far-fetched, if not completely ludicrous.rjb31-07-2026
- No disrespect toward Jonas, but his problem, vis-a-vis Tadej, may not be solvable. Tadej didn't only excell in explosiveness, he also demolished Jonas on a crucial descent. And, lest we forget, Pogi didn't have any trouble winning both the Giro and the Tour last year. Moreover, his explanation regarding poor planning by the Visma team, also strikes me as questionable, given all the experience and expertise in the Visma group. Again, no disrespect toward Jonas, a valid champion and a fine human being.rjb31-07-2026
- The headline mentions a 'menstruation debate,' but the article doesn't mention the debate or even what the issue is. The writer and the editor need to do better.rjb29-07-2026
- - Vamos Tadej! Poetry on wheels. C’est magnifique, bravo campione!robert6528-07-2026
- - Merckx saying no competition feels off—what about Vingegaard in full form, and Roglic on the Giro/Vuelta blocks? There’s competition, just inconsistent due to crashes and form peaks. Still, Tadej is the most versatile since Indurain.breakawaybikerd28-07-2026
- - So Pogacar has five Tours already, but why is that a bigger deal than, say, winning the World Championships? Are the Grand Tours ranked differently?samanthak28-07-2026
- - Brilliant piece. You captured how he meters effort on long climbs and still rips everyone off the wheel. Also love the nod to Tour de l’Avenir—people forget how early he was bossing stages.tourdeforce928-07-2026
- - Slightly sceptical about the “win all three Grand Tours in one season” bit. The calendar density and recovery windows are still brutal, even with modern prep. Would love it, but sounds a tad romantic from Eddy.andrewf28-07-2026
- - Goosebumps reading Hinault and Merckx basically anointing Pogacar. Five Tours by 27 is bonkers. The Alpe d’Huez comparison to Pantani’s time… that’s era-adjusted or raw time? If raw, that’s massive given modern pacing and wind.jeremya28-07-2026
- - Not sure I buy the “Lance had no talent” line. That’s a bit extreme from LeMond. You can condemn the methods without rewriting the guy’s baseline physiology. Still, Pog is the real deal, no asterisks.cadencekingm28-07-2026
Loading