Pogačar asks for the green light to race the European Championships this Sunday

Tadej Pogačar does not seem willing to end his 2026 season. After returning to road training just four weeks after his serious fall in La Vuelta, the Slovenian would be pressuring UAE Team Emirates-XRG to allow him to compete this Sunday in the European Championship in Ljubljana, according to El País.

Pogačar wants to race in the European Championship and has even requested medical approval

The information, published this Monday by El País, represents a significant shift from the scenario that UAE had outlined in recent weeks. The team had declared their leader's season over and later reiterated that “there are no plans” for him to return to competition during 2026. But Pogačar seems to have other plans.

As journalist Carlos Arribas explains in El País, the reigning European champion would be trying to convince the team to compete this Sunday, October 4, in the continental event in Ljubljana. A race particularly appealing to him as it takes place in Slovenia and because he would arrive as the title defender.

The newspaper also adds that Pogačar would have called Dr. Xavier Mir, the surgeon who operated on his collarbone in Barcelona, to request his medical approval before considering a return. According to the published information, Mir believes that his recovery is satisfactory and that, from a medical standpoint, there would be no impediment to competing.

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The final decision, therefore, would now depend on UAE and whether the team agrees to modify the recovery plan established after his accident.

From a finished season to trying to race at home

The possibility of this return has been taking shape for several days. Pogačar unexpectedly appeared registered on the preliminary list for Slovenia for the European Championship, something that immediately opened the door to speculation about a much faster recovery than expected.

However, shortly after UAE Team Emirates-XRG tried to close that possibility by stating that “there are no plans” for Pogačar to return to competition in 2026. The official stance remained to maintain the planned recovery and think about the next season.

The Slovenian's own physical condition has been fueling doubts. Two weeks ago he reappeared on the bike training on the roller and this past Saturday took a much more significant step by returning to road training for the first time since his accident.

All this just four weeks after the fall he suffered on August 29 during the eighth stage of La Vuelta. The accident caused him a displaced fracture of the left collarbone, a stable fracture of the C7 vertebra, and a concussion, and forced him to immediately end his participation while leading the race.

The European Championship could even open the door to Il Lombardia

According to El País, behind Pogačar's urgency there would be another objective. The Slovenian would consider the European Championship as a test to assess his condition before also contemplating his participation in Il Lombardia.

This would completely change the end of the season that UAE had designed after his fall, but there is still no official confirmation and we will have to wait a few more days.