UAE boss confirms Tadej Pogačar's Paris-Roubaix plans after Vuelta crash

The absence of Tadej Pogačar is being felt, and it will continue to be felt for some time. The UAE Emirates-XRG Slovenian had been on course to win the Vuelta a España, taking three stage victories and wearing the red leader's jersey. However, a crash on Stage 8 not only ruined his Vuelta but also brought the rest of his season to an end, including the World Championships. Speaking on Radio Corsa, UAE team boss Mauro Gianetti has now reflected on the entire situation.

While many cycling fans are currently frustrated at missing Pogačar at both the Vuelta and the World Championships, UAE Emirates-XRG are naturally already looking further ahead. The team ended his season early but at the same time extended his contract through the end of 2032. Their ambitions remain as high as ever, meaning Pogačar can now take all the time he needs to recover properly.

The Slovenian has recovered from his concussion, although the fractures to his cervical vertebra and collarbone will take longer to heal. Gianetti does not expect any major problems over the coming weeks and months. "It was a serious crash. The displaced collarbone fracture required a very complex operation, in addition to the concussion," he explained. "From there, it was clear that he would not be able to race again this year."

The UAE gave its great leader a few days to process the news. Pogacar was allowed to return home fairly quickly and had planned to travel to Canada to support his fiancée, Urska Zigart, and the Slovenian cycling team. Following Zigart’s broken jaw, it’s unclear whether that will still happen. “This is cycling, and Tadej is keeping his cool right now. Of course he’s disappointed that he can’t race, but that’s part of the sport.”

According to Gianetti, the consequences of Pogačar's Vuelta crash could have been considerably worse, so everyone involved is relieved that he should be able to begin preparing for the 2027 season as normal this winter. "He will think about next season with great commitment," Gianetti said. Pogačar has also extended his contract because, as the UAE boss explained, "he wants to race, work hard and enjoy himself," sending a strong signal about his confidence in both the team and his future.

So expect Pogačar to return to the races he has yet to win, including the Vuelta a España. Paris-Roubaix will also remain a major objective and will not suddenly be viewed differently because of his latest crash. "We still have the same confidence in him," Gianetti stressed. "The truth is that Roubaix may seem more risky than other races, but when you look at it, the worst crashes with the most serious consequences lately are not so much there. They happen in races and situations like the one where Tadej crashed, where the speed is extremely high and the whole peloton is packed very closely together."

Pogačar often manages to avoid those types of crashes, but a rock in the road left him powerless this time. Gianetti even believes that the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix may present less risk in certain situations. "High-speed crashes are more devastating than what might happen at Roubaix, where if you crash on the pavé you may be travelling at a lower speed," he explained. "Of course, you don't go looking for crashes. Roubaix is a difficult race, but we've seen that it's not the only place where you can fall." UAE will therefore consider Pogačar's calendar carefully, but Gianetti says the priority is different: "You have to try to arrive at the race fresh, so that riders have maximum concentration, because that is the most important thing."