UEA Teammates have spoken to Tadej Pogačar via FaceTime: 'He still looked a bit like a boxer'
CyclingThursday, 10 September 2026 at 10:19
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Follow us on GoogleIt has now been a week and a half since Tadej Pogačar spectacularly crashed out of the Vuelta a España. The Slovenian rider from UAE Emirates-XRG is now back home in Monaco, where he has also been in touch with some of his teammates. Tim Wellens spoke about it on La Dernière Heure.
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Wellens also lives in Monaco. “Tadej spent a few days in Spain and then returned home, while I left Monaco for the Tour of Britain and the Grand Prix races in Québec and Montréal,” he says from Canada.
"We spoke on the phone just last week. Together with the other guys on the team, we FaceTimed with him several times during the Tour of Britain," said Wellens, who won that race. Teammate Nils Politt won the final stage there.
"He still looked a bit like a boxer, with his eye completely black and blue. But he's no longer in pain, and his spirits are high. We actually laughed quite a bit during those conversations, which is always a good sign," said Wellens.
Read more below the photo.
Pogacar upon arrival in Monaco.
Pogacar will not race again in 2026
Pogacar himself announced just last week that he had extended his contract with his team through 2032. He also stated that we won’t see him in action again this year. “Right now, the most important thing is to recover properly and give my body the time it needs,” the Slovenian said.
"Following his crash at La Vuelta, Tadej will not return to racing this season, as he is fully focused on his recovery and rehabilitation. Get well soon, Tadej. We’ll see you back in 2027," said his team, UAE Emirates-XRG.
Pogačar suffered, among other injuries, a complicated collarbone fracture and must recover from it. As a result, we won’t see him at the European Championships, the World Championships, or the Tour of Lombardy.
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- - Love the honesty about hesitating because of Remco’s messages. Ego flattered but head ruled. That’s grown-up stuff. Vamos Tim, forza UAE!andrewf10-09-2026
- - Fair play to Wellens. He made an agreement after Renewi/illness and kept it. That’s professional. Also, GP Québec/Montréal suit him—defending Montréal champ in 2025 noted, but he’s been class on those punchy circuits.samanthak10-09-2026
- - Quick question: what exactly would his role have been for Belgium? Lead-out for Remco/Wout, or early tempo to control breaks? The article hints both ways and I’m a bit confused.julien10-09-2026
- - Interesting that Remco texted him and he still stuck to UAE. That says a lot about team-employer obligations. Also, on a Worlds course like this year’s, he’d have been gold as a domestique to keep things together before the finale.raceready710-09-2026
- - Not sure I buy the “timeframe too short” line after he just won in Britain. If you’re strong enough to win there, surely you can do a job for Belgium at Worlds? Feels a bit convenient.velodromevirtuoso110-09-2026
- - Great read. Tim’s loyalty to UAE makes total sense given their injury list, and his Tour of Britain win shows he’s in form even if Worlds timing is awkward. Can’t fault a rider for honoring a promise.jeremya10-09-2026
- The decline in viewership should't surprise anyone; people spend their time and money to see headliners, not understudies. It might have been different if Tadej hadn't entered the race and shown his complete dominence. But once he did, and then crashed out, the remainder of the race, for many people, including myself, became anticlimatic. Crowning a Pretender while the King is recuperating, won't fool or satisfy anyone, except, perhaps, the riders who will stand on the podium and the various Jersey winners. For the rest of us, 'It's wait until next year."rjb09-09-2026
- - Love the 2027 UK Grand Départ shout. Edinburgh opener + Visma classics unit sounds spicy. But the article kind of undersells how rare 4 wins on debut is — that’s Gaviria-level company. Give the lad a chance at least on a transitional Tour stage, no?gearguru3309-09-2026
- - Wait, so why didn’t Kooij ever get a Tour shot if he was that fast? Is it really just because of Vingegaard vs. Pogačar GC priorities? Seems wild a team wouldn’t try for both green and yellow at least once.sprocketspiny09-09-2026
- - Slightly harsh to say he “lacks the speed.” His jump’s been electric this Vuelta, and he’s holding shape deep into week three. If Visma bring Wout + Laporte as engines, Brennan can surf wheels in the Tour. Question is: will Visma sacrifice even 5% GC control for a sprint train?cyclechamp4509-09-2026
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