2024 Paris Olympic Games: Tadej Pogacar admits girlfriend's omission swayed decision to withdraw from Slovenia squad
Published 24/07/2024 at 20:20 GMT+1
Tadej Pogacar has been discussing his reasons for missing the 2024 Olympic Games. The three-time Tour de France Champion withdrew from the men's road race in Paris earlier this week. He was one of Slovenia's main medal hopes for the Games. But he says the non-selection of his girlfriend Urska Zigart was partly behind his decision to withdraw, saying "I think she deserves her spot."
'Incredible' - Pogacar reacts to imperious third Tour de France title
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar has revealed his girlfriend's non-selection for the Olympic was partly behind his decision to withdraw from the Games.
The Slovenian was one of his country's main medal hopes in Paris.
However, he made a late decision to pull out of the road race, in which he was hoping to improve on the bronze medal he won in Tokyo three years ago.
The 25-year-old originally cited fatigue as his reason for not participating.
But he now admits that his girlfriend's Urska Zigart was a factor in his decision.
"It’s not the main reason, but for sure it didn’t help," he said. "I think she deserves her spot. She’s the double national champion in road race and time trial.
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"She’s the only woman cyclist in Slovenia that ever achieved top 10 in week-long World Tour races.
“She did great in the last two years winning points for Slovenia and, without her, they wouldn’t have two spots in the [Olympic] road race."
Suspicions over the reason for Pogacar's Games snub arose when he took part in the Surhuisterveen criterium in the Netherlands on Tuesday.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
That event took place just two days after he had secured his famous third Tour de France title.
The 25-year-old had previously described himself as "disgusted" at Zigart not being picked for the games.
Instead of heading to Paris, he is now expected to try and win the world road race title in Zurich in September.
“For me, putting a cherry on top of this season would be to have a really nice August, to relax a bit, to prepare well for the World Championships and then give it my all there," he added, having previously stated that he and Zigart can "go on vacation together" following her Olympic snub.
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