The accident of Urska Žigart shook Pogacar

The second stage of the Women's Tour of Switzerland left one of the most concerning images of the week. The Slovenian Urska Žigart (AG Insurance-Soudal) suffered a severe fall in the last kilometer of the race and had to be taken to the hospital, where medical tests confirmed a jaw fracture. The accident not only ends her participation in the event but also had a direct impact on Tadej Pogačar, her partner, who just hours later had to defend the lead in the Men's Tour of Switzerland.

Urska Žigart suffers a jaw fracture in the Tour of Switzerland and emotionally affects Pogacar

The accident occurred in the approach to the finish line of the second stage ending in Locarno. Žigart was riding in the front group when, at high speed, she hit a bump in the asphalt located just before the banner of the last kilometer.

In today's 2nd stage of the Tour de Suisse 2026 women's race, just below the last km, Urska Zigart lost her balance and fell to the ground after hitting the speed bump and was taken to the hospital.

@Ticinonline instagram #tdf2026 pic.twitter.com/IBpvUSV03X

— Pro Peloton (@propelotontr) June 18, 2026

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The area was marked with orange paint and monitored by race officials, but the images show how several riders lost stability when passing through that point. Canadian Sarah Van Dam managed to save herself from a significant shake, while Žigart could not control her bike and ended up hitting the ground violently.

After being attended to by the race and team medical services, she was taken to the hospital for various tests.

Hours later, AG Insurance-Soudal issued a medical statement confirming the extent of the injuries.

“After several medical evaluations, Urška has been diagnosed with a jaw fracture. Fortunately, no other injuries were detected during the examinations.”

The team explained that they are now evaluating with specialists what the most appropriate treatment will be and the recovery process that the Slovenian rider will have to follow.

The news also comes at a particularly delicate moment for Žigart. Just a day before, she had acknowledged that she still carried some insecurity in descents after the fall she suffered during the last stage of the Women's Giro d'Italia.

One of the best climbers in the peloton

The Slovenian rider has established herself in recent seasons as one of the best stage racers in the women's peloton. In the last two years, she has achieved notable results in the grand tours, with a ninth place in the 2025 Giro d'Italia, a sixth place in the Women's Tour, and an eighth place in this season's Giro d'Italia.

Her evolution had positioned her as one of the contenders to fight for the overall classification of the Tour of Switzerland, but the fall now shifts the focus to her recovery and the timeline for her return to competition.

Pogacar abandoned protocol to go to the hospital

The situation had an immediate impact on the Men's Tour of Switzerland. Tadej Pogačar received the news of the accident just before starting the second stage and, according to UAE Team Emirates-XRG manager Mauro Gianetti, the world champion was deeply affected.

“Unfortunately, just before the start, he read the bad news,” Gianetti explained to the race media.

The Italian official personally visited Žigart before the start of the stage to reassure the leader of the event. “I went to see her before the start, so I could reassure him because, fortunately, it is nothing more serious, although it was a significant fall at over 50 km/h. He can be reassured, but you can imagine that it is not easy for him. He did not seem very eager to race.”

After completing the stage, Pogačar did not conduct the usual media interviews despite remaining the leader of the race. After fulfilling the podium ceremony, he quickly left the finish area to go to the hospital and accompany his partner.

Gianetti acknowledged that he had rarely seen the Slovenian in such an emotional situation. “He usually manages to isolate everything that happens around him, but not when it comes to his partner. Family is different. Before the start, he seemed affected; he was not the Tadej we usually see.”

Still, the UAE director highlighted the world champion's ability to concentrate during the race.

“He is a professional. Even in the most complicated moments, he tried to do his best. There will never be enough words to thank what Tadej does.”

The episode recalls what happened in 2022 when Pogačar withdrew from the Liège-Bastogne-Liège to stay with Žigart after the death of the cyclist's mother.

This time he did start the Tour of Switzerland, but the concern for his partner's condition turned an apparently calm sports day into one of the most emotionally challenging days for the leader of UAE Team Emirates-XRG.