Slovenian teammates remember injured Pogacar: ‘You quickly grow fond of him’

“You quickly grow fond of him and love him,” Matevž Govekar said of Tadej Pogacar after the Slovenian star’s crash forced him out of competition. The comment captured the personal disappointment among the Slovenian riders at the Vuelta a España, where Pogacar had been expected to receive their help in pursuing a third consecutive world title.

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You quickly grow fond of him and love him.

Govekar and Gal Glivar spoke before the start of the previous stage, while looking ahead to another sprint stage that could be reshaped by a climb in its final third. Both Slovenians could contend for a strong result, although neither has yet found the ideal opportunity. Govekar, a pronounced sprinter, has struggled through the earlier stages and finished 12th when he finally had his chance. Glivar, who arrived as support for Australian sprinter Kaden Groves, took his own opportunity the previous day and finished 18th despite being poorly positioned.

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He is a rider who races at the highest level throughout the entire season, and I would not wish such an injury on anyone. The crash did not look good. Although we are not on the same team, we are both Slovenian. I wish him a very fast recovery and hope he comes back stronger.

Govekar said Pogacar’s withdrawal had been a shock. “He is a rider who races at the highest level throughout the entire season, and I would not wish such an injury on anyone,” he said. “The crash did not look good. Although we are not on the same team, we are both Slovenian. I wish him a very fast recovery and hope he comes back stronger.”

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We are friends. Seeing him on the ground in pain was very difficult for me too.

Glivar said Slovenia was a small country where people in cycling know one another well. “We are friends. Seeing him on the ground in pain was very difficult for me too,” he said. He added that Roglic’s position near the top of the overall standings still gave Slovenian supporters plenty to follow. Roglic had earlier said Pogacar first needed to accept what happened before taking on new challenges. Pogacar is expected to begin rehabilitation at home after leaving hospital following a successful operation. The Vuelta’s decisive fireworks are expected in its third week, while the six Slovenian riders remain motivated to fight for results.

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He will undoubtedly come back stronger. First he has to accept that this happened to him, and then take on entirely new challenges.