Tadej Pogačar shocked the cycling community when he announced on Thursday that he would be skipping the 2024 Olympics. He cited fatigue as the main reason—having just finished the Tour de France, and before that, the Giro d’Italia—but many wondered if there was more to it. It turns out, there was. Earlier this month, his fiancée Urška Žigart, a professional cyclist for Liv AlUla Jayco and Slovenian national champion, was left off the Olympics squad. Was that a factor in his decision to skip the Games?
Pogačar, Paris 2024 Olympics and Žigart
“It’s not the main reason, but for sure it didn’t help. I think she deserves her spot. She’s the double national champion in both the road race and time trial,” he said.
Urška Žigart’s boyfriend won the Slovenian national road championships
When the roster was announced, Pogačar spoke up about it, although Žigart urged him not to.
“I didn’t want to allow that. He also has a team that manages his social media. When he contacted me wanting to post something, I immediately said no. I emphasized that it was my battle,” she said.
The decision to leave Žigart out
But Pogačar couldn’t help but defend the love of his life.
“The national champion and best cyclist of Slovenia is not going to Paris; I am lost for words,” said Pogi. “Regardless, the Slovenian colours suit you well. I am always proud of you.”
Žigart received the disappointing news by text. “Before the Tour of Switzerland, I received a message from the national coach Gorazd Penko explaining his decision and his reasons,” Žigart said. “He told me he had already decided last year.”
The coach weighs in on Olympics
Penko explained his rationale. “I will list purely objective reasons: last year, a quota was awarded to the national cycling federations, and Urška Pintar scored the highest number of points. She was also ranked highest in the international rankings,” he said. “Although we know that she competes with a club that doesn’t have many opportunities for races and a lot of resources.”
Žigart said she never meant to create such drama.
“I didn’t expect this to reach the heights it did. I have come to terms with the decision a while ago. It is not my intention to force participation at all. Especially because I don’t think I want to race somewhere where they don’t appreciate me and to be with people who only put me down,” Žigart added. “But I am allowed to express my disagreement…
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