Matxin: Pogačar’s Health Comes Before Racing
Tadej Pogačar’s recovery has become the absolute priority for UAE Team Emirates-XRG following his crash and abandonment at the 2026 Vuelta a España.
With the World Championships in Montréal approaching later this month, speculation has naturally focused on whether the Slovenian could recover in time to defend his rainbow jersey.
However, UAE team manager Joxean Fernández Matxín has made it clear that the team is not thinking about the racing calendar right now.
“The calendar doesn’t matter” is the message coming from the UAE camp, with the focus firmly on Pogačar as a person rather than his next race.
“What Counts Is the Person”
Matxín explained that Pogačar is doing well following his surgery and needs several days to recover before returning home.
The UAE manager stressed that the team does not want the rider to feel any pressure about upcoming races.
“Right now the calendar doesn’t matter to me. What counts is the person.”
Matxín added that the situation is no longer about cycling results, victories or general classification ambitions.
For UAE, the priority is simply helping their leader recover in peace.
No Pressure Over the World Championships
The timing of Pogačar’s injury has naturally raised questions about the UCI Road World Championships 2026, scheduled for Montréal later this month.
But Matxín has avoided putting a deadline on the Slovenian’s return.
Instead, he wants Pogačar to focus entirely on his recovery and spending time with his family.
The team does not want the World Championships or any other upcoming race to become an additional source of pressure.
That means Pogačar’s participation in Montréal should currently be viewed as uncertain, rather than confirmed or ruled out.
Pogačar’s Vuelta Campaign Ends in Disappointment
Pogačar was leading La Vuelta when he crashed during Stage 8.
The incident forced the defending world champion to abandon the race and handed the red jersey to Enric Mas.
His withdrawal was a major blow to the Vuelta and ended his hopes of fighting for another Grand Tour victory in 2026.
Following the crash, Pogačar underwent surgery on his left collarbone and is now beginning the recovery process.
“This Isn’t About Cycling”
Matxín’s comments underline the human side of professional cycling.
Pogačar is one of the biggest stars in the sport, but for his team, the competitive calendar has temporarily become irrelevant.
“Right now this isn’t about cycling, it’s about him as a person.”
The UAE manager also said the team wants Pogačar to have peace and quiet, recover properly and spend time with his family.
Only once he has recovered will decisions about his return to competition become relevant.
When Will Pogačar Return?
For now, there is no confirmed return date for Pogačar.
The World Championships remain a possibility on the calendar, but his participation should not be assumed.
The priority is his medical recovery, and UAE Team Emirates-XRG appears determined to make any future racing decision based on his condition rather than the importance of a particular event.
For Pogačar and his team, the message is simple: health comes first, racing can wait.
SPORTVIAX will continue to follow Tadej Pogačar’s recovery and provide updates on his potential return to competition.
🔗 Internal Links for SPORTVIAX:
- Carlos Rodríguez Refuses to Give Up at La Vuelta 2026: “The Best Is Yet to Come”
- La Vuelta 2026 – Stage 10 Results: Bastien Tronchon Wins as Enric Mas Keeps Red Jersey
- Tadej Pogačar May Miss the Rest of 2026 After La Vuelta Crash
- Tom Pidcock Reacts to Tadej Pogačar’s Vuelta Crash: “It’s Not Nice to See”
- Finn Fisher-Black Defends Tadej Pogačar After La Vuelta Crash
