Tadej Pogačar has withdrawn from competing in the Paris Olympic Games, citing tiredness after completing the Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double, a feat not achieved since 1998. Pogačar was initially scheduled to participate in the men’s road race on 3rd August.
Announcing the news on Monday, the Slovenian Olympic Team revealed that UAE Emirates teammate Domen Novak would replace Pogačar in the road race. Jan Tratnik will take part in the time trial on Saturday, while Matej Mohorič and Luka Mezgec will also compete in the road race.
There were rumours circulating about Pogačar skipping the Olympics. In an interview with BiciSport, his agent Johnny Carrera hinted that his participation was uncertain. After winning the Tour de France in Nice, Pogačar himself chose to focus on the Zurich World Championships in September, a race more suited to his strengths, instead of discussing Paris 2024.
An Instagram post from the Slovenian Olympic Team confirmed Pogačar’s absence: “Unfortunately, Tadej Pogačar won’t be among them, who cancelled his performance due to being too tired. He will be replaced by a representative colleague, Domen Novak. We wish Dom all the best and success.”
Cyclingnews reported that defending Olympic time trial champion Primož Roglič was not originally on the squad and was not considered as a replacement for Pogačar, likely due to his recovery from a crash that took him out of the Tour de France.
There has been some controversy regarding the Slovenian selections, particularly with the omission of Urška Žigart from the women’s road squad. Žigart, who is Pogačar’s fiancée, is a dual national champion and the highest-ranked female rider from Slovenia.
Pogačar’s decision to opt out of the Olympics means he will now have time to rest and prepare for upcoming events, including the Zurich World Championships.
The Slovenian team will look to Novak, Mohorič, Mezgec, and Tratnik to represent them and aim for success in Paris.