Shoving, stickers on the back, and pants pulled down, what Pogacar had to endure at the European Championship

Tadej Pogačar dominated once again on the bike at the European Championship, but not in the common sense of some spectators. During the road race of the 2025 European Cycling Championship, held in the French region of Drôme-Ardèche, the Slovenian had to deal with inappropriate behavior from some spectators, such as a fan who pulled down his pants as he passed by or even stuck stickers on his back while riding at the front.

Spectators out of control: Pogačar suffers incidents at the European Championship and the debate about the limits of the public in races returns

The images went viral on social media and reopened a debate that is becoming increasingly common, that of the lack of respect and control of the public on the sidelines.

Nevertheless, Pogačar did not get distracted. The UAE Team Emirates rider completed another impressive performance to become European champion just one week after winning the World Championship.

Pushes and stickers from some fans to Pogacar. #EuroRoad25 pic.twitter.com/NEm9u9Hl6v

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) October 5, 2025

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The incident with Pogačar is not an isolated case. In recent months, similar situations have accumulated in different races where the passion for cycling coexists with episodes of misbehavior and invasion of the riders' space.

In the past Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel was attacked with a bottle by a spectator, in a gesture that his team, Alpecin-Deceuninck, decided to report to the authorities, with the support of the UCI. On that occasion, the organization reinforced calls for respect and safety, but incidents continue to occur.

The organizers of the European Championship have not yet issued an official statement, although the images clearly show the urgent need to review safety protocols and public education in road races.

Cycling is one of the few sports where fans can experience the action just inches away from their idols. That closeness, which is a big part of its magic, also becomes its weakness when respect is lacking. Pogačar did not publicly complain, but the images of his rainbow jersey covered in stickers and of a spectator with his pants down speak for themselves.