Slovenia’s initial plans for the Olympic Games included aspirations of winning gold medals in both the time-trial and road race, but the team’s current outlook is far from optimistic. The decision by Tadej Pogacar to skip the event has been closely linked to the controversial exclusion of his fiancée, Urska Zigart, from the women’s races. Luka Mezgec, Pogacar’s teammate, is confident that if Zigart had been selected, Pogacar would have competed as well.
Pogacar cited fatigue as the primary reason for his absence from the Olympics. He referenced his experience from the previous year, where he struggled after competing in both the Tour de France and the World Championships back-to-back. This year, after participating in the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, along with extensive preparation, his reasoning seems justified. Yet, the Olympics, a quadrennial event where Pogacar had shown exceptional form throughout 2024, was a significant occasion.
Many believe that the decision to leave Zigart out of the women’s events was the tipping point for Pogacar. While he did not publicly express his frustration, it was clear that he was disappointed, as Zigart had been the most successful Slovenian female rider of the season and a reigning double national champion. With Matej Mohoric as the team leader for the road race, Slovenia’s ambitions are modest, given Mohoric’s recent performance and the fact that the team only comprises four riders.
Luka Mezgec, who will be racing for Slovenia on Saturday, shared his thoughts with RTV Slovenia. He questioned the validity of the official reason for Pogacar’s absence, suggesting that even if Pogacar were extremely exhausted, he would have participated if Zigart had been part of the team. Mezgec emphasized that Pogacar’s commitment to the team would have been stronger if Zigart were competing, noting, “If there was a 1% chance that he would want to stay at home for any reason, that percentage would be much smaller if Urška were here. Wherever Urška is, Tadej is too.”
Matej Mohoric had previously attempted to persuade Pogacar to reconsider his decision, but ultimately, the UAE Team Emirates chose to allow Pogacar a break after a remarkable period of success in professional cycling.
Mezgec also discussed the selection process, arguing that the inclusion of Zigart should have been prioritized. He suggested that even if Zigart was not at her peak, her selection might have been worth the risk to ensure Pogacar’s participation. He remarked, “It may sound harsh, but perhaps we should have sacrificed one spot for Urška, even if she wasn’t in the best shape. That’s the reality, but even if she wasn’t, the decision-makers should have made sure to accommodate Tadej with this move. Unfortunately, they did not anticipate all possible outcomes.”
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