Against all expectations, Pogačar is listed for the European Championships in Slovenia

Tadej Pogacar appears on the preliminary list for the road race of the European Championship that will take place on October 4 in Slovenia, an unexpected entry after UAE Team Emirates-XRG announced that his competitive year had ended following the serious fall he suffered in La Vuelta.

Pogacar is registered for the European Championship in Slovenia and rumors of his return grow

The possibility that Pogacar might attempt to return to compete in front of his home crowd began circulating a few days ago when Italian journalist Beppe Conti suggested that the Slovenian was determined to participate in the European Championship if his recovery allows it. And now his name appears on the preliminary entry list published for the European Championship.

Slovenia has included Pogacar in a list that also features Primoz Roglic, Matej Mohoric, Jan Tratnik, Domen Novak, Luka Mezgec, and Gal Glivar, among others.

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This does not mean he will start. The list is still provisional and, for now, neither the rider nor UAE Team Emirates-XRG have announced a change in the planned schedule for his recovery.

A return that seemed ruled out

Pogacar's presence is particularly striking because UAE declared his 2026 season over after his fall in the Vuelta a España. The accident caused him a displaced fracture of the left clavicle, a stable cervical fracture at C7, and a concussion, injuries that have also prevented him from defending his rainbow jersey at the World Championship in Montreal this week.

But his recovery seems to be progressing, and just a few days ago Pogacar published the first images of his return to the bike, still on the trainer and within a process that, until now, seemed designed exclusively to prepare for 2027.

The European Championship now introduces an unexpected uncertainty. It takes place at home, Pogacar is the reigning champion, and Slovenia has kept his name among the possible participants. It remains to be seen whether this is simply a precautionary entry or if his recovery has progressed enough to consider a final number in 2026.