Urska Zigart gives Tadej Pogačar recovery update: 'I'm sure he'll come back stronger next year'

Urska Zigart and Tadej Pogačar have already endured plenty of crashes during the 2026 season. After Zigart broke her jaw in a heavy crash at the Tour de Suisse, she saw her partner return home injured two weeks ago following his crash at the Vuelta a España. Zigart, who has since returned to racing herself, spoke to DirectVelo about how things are going.

Zigart is currently racing the Faun Tour Femmes, where she sits third overall after two days. "We have a small peloton here. I like this kind of situation, but at the same time I know it makes the race more difficult to control. We'll have to be very smart to spot the right moments."

For Zigart, the French stage race is her final preparation for the championships, where she will lead Slovenia at the World Championships in Canada and the European Championships on home roads. "I feel good, my form is good. I took a short break after the Tour and now I'm in the final phase of my preparation for the World Championships and then the European Championships. I feel ready."

The European Championships in Slovenia will, of course, be particularly special. "It will be very special to have so many Slovenian fans there, and there is huge excitement throughout the country around these European Championships. We're a little disappointed that Tadej won't be there. But he will definitely be there to support us."

According to Zigart, Pogačar's recovery is progressing well. "Right now, he is completely focused on recovering from his injuries. But maybe he'll come to Canada to support me at the World Championships—or why not race himself?" she joked.

"These crashes happen. You have to adapt, bounce back, and I'm sure he'll come back stronger next year," Zigart said. Pogačar will indeed travel to Canada to support his Slovenian compatriots, according to national coach Uroš Murn.