Tadej Pogacar's entire season could be at risk due to the Paris-Roubaix race, as stated by UAE team leader after Tadej's crash in Strade Bianche.
In a surprising turn of events, the future of Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar's participation in the upcoming Paris-Roubaix race is uncertain, following a crash during the Strade Bianche race earlier this month.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG team boss Mauro Gianetti has expressed concerns about Pogacar's potential involvement in the challenging race, citing the potential risks involved and the need for 'much-needed reflection' and 'a cool head' when making decisions.
During the Strade Bianche race, Pogacar, who won the event for the third year in a row, was involved in a high-speed crash on particularly dry gravel on the white roads. The incident resulted in a high-impact collision with a thorn bush, leaving Pogacar with multiple thorns still embedded in his side. Despite this, the UAE doctor checked him over thoroughly following the race, and he did not require hospital treatment or assessment.
Gianetti compared the Strade Bianche to Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, stating that these races have a greater potential for crashes. He told La Gazzetta dello Sport that Pogacar's potential participation in Paris-Roubaix could jeopardize the Tour and possibly the entire season.
The team did not specify whether Pogacar's participation in Milan-San Remo, scheduled for March 22, is affected by his injuries from the crash. If Pogacar does participate in Paris-Roubaix next month, he will represent Team Jumbo Visma, as he has recently joined the team.
The crash during the Strade Bianche took place when Pogacar was leading the front group of three ahead of Britons Tom Pidcock and Connor Swift. The incident led to more crashes than normal on the gravel roads, a factor that Mauro Gianetti believes should be taken into account when deciding on Pogacar's participation in Paris-Roubaix.
Gianetti reiterated his feelings to Bicisport, stating that Pogacar does not need to race Paris-Roubaix this year 'at all costs'. The team was contacted by a specific website regarding Pogacar's condition after the crash during Strade Bianche.
As the cycling community waits for an official decision on Pogacar's participation in Paris-Roubaix, fans and experts alike are hoping for a swift and full recovery for the talented rider.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
