Tadej Pogacar rules out Vuelta a Espana tilt to focus on World Championships, Olympics absence confirmed

Updated 22/07/2024 at 17:36 GMT

In the aftermath of Tadej Pogacar's historic third Tour de France title, questions over his participation at this year's Vuelta a Espana have been answered. The "super tired" Slovenian will skip the chance for a record-breaking Giro-Tour-Vuelta triple. It has also been confirmed that the Slovenia superstar will not take part in this summer's Paris Olympics.

Pogacar’s Top 5 moments from his third Tour de France win

Tadej Pogacar has admitted thoughts about competing at the Vuelta a Espana “crossed my mind”, but the Tour de France winner is instead focusing on the World Championships.

After becoming the first rider to win the Giro-Tour double in a single season since Marco Pantani in 1998, questions quickly turned to his plans for the rest of the season.

No rider has completed the Giro-Tour-Veulta triple in the same season and it crossed Pogacar's mind.

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But with the World Championships in Zurich on the horizon, a “super tired” Pogacar confirmed he would join Danish rival Jonas Vingegaard in skipping the Vuelta which starts on August 17.

“For sure, it crossed my mind to do the Vuelta,” said Pogacar. “People tell you to go do this or that, so of course it was there. But I’m trying to let it go in one ear and out the other.

“For me, putting a cherry on top of this season would be to have a really nice August, to relax a bit, to prepare well for the World Championships and then give it my all there.”

'Incredible' - Pogacar reacts to imperious third Tour de France title

Pogacar produced a dominant Tour de France performance, with the 25-year-old securing his third title after holding the yellow jersey in every stage but two.

You have to go back to Bernard Hinault in 1979 to find a Tour winner with more stage wins than the Slovenian’s six.

But in response to suggestions that he never runs out of energy, Pogacar broke the news that he is only human after all.

"I’m super tired, thanks for caring," he said. "That’s why I want to see some family, my friends, stay with [girlfriend] Urska, recharge my batteries.

"The last four months it’s been full gas for the Giro, full gas for the Tour, so much time staying away from home. And I’m tired."

POGACAR RULED OUT OF OLYMPICS

Pogacar’s manager Johnny Carera cast doubt on whether his client would be competing at the upcoming Olympic Games - and the Slovenia national team confirmed he would not be on the start line in Paris.

In a post on Instagram, the Slovenia federation said: "Men's cycling selector unveils names for Paris Olympics.

"Unfortunately, Tadej Pogacar will not be among them. He will be replaced by national team colleague Domen Novak. We wish Domen all the best and success.

"Once again, congratulations to the Tour de France winner for his third victory in the world's most prestigious cycling race, and we hope he rests well and prepares for his next races."

Pogacar did not mention the Olympics after his historic Tour de France win, only noting that he is targeting the UCI Road World Championships, won by Mathieu van der Poel in Glasgow last August.

"Next I want to take the World Championship jersey," Pogacar said. "It has looked very good on Mathieu van der Poel. I want one time to have the rainbow jersey on my back."

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