Is Tadej Pogacar Sick?, What Happened to Tadej Pogacar?
by Ayisha
Updated Jul 21, 2023
Is Tadej Pogacar Sick?
There are indications that Tadej Pogačar might be dealing with illness during the Tour de France. In the description of stage 17, it's mentioned that Pogačar looked gaunt and tired, and he had a crash early in the stage, resulting in blood coming from his knee. Additionally, a cold sore on his mouth was identified as a tell-tale sign of an illness and weakness.
While illness is suggested as one possible factor for Pogačar's decline in performance compared to Jonas Vingegaard, the passage also acknowledges other potential reasons for his struggles, such as his race calendar and different training approaches.
However, it's essential to note that the passage does not explicitly confirm whether Pogačar is indeed sick, but rather it provides some signs that could point to this possibility.
As with any athlete in a physically demanding competition like the Tour de France, health issues can have a significant impact on performance. Cycling at such an elite level requires optimal physical condition, and even a minor illness can disrupt an athlete's performance and overall ability to compete at their best.
It's challenging to ascertain the exact nature or severity of any potential illness affecting Pogačar during the Tour de France. As of the knowledge cutoff in September 2021, there were no specific reports indicating any significant health concerns for Pogačar.
However, for real-time and accurate updates on his health status or any recent developments, it's best to refer to the latest news from reliable sports media sources or official team announcements.
What Happened to Tadej Pogacar?
Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian rider, experienced a decline in performance during the Tour de France. The passage suggests several possible factors that could have contributed to this decline.
Illness: The passage hints at the possibility that Pogačar might have been dealing with an illness during the Tour de France. It describes him looking gaunt and tired, and having a cold sore on his mouth, which are often signs of being unwell.
Furthermore, a crash early in stage 17 resulted in blood coming from his knee, indicating that he might not have been in the best physical condition. Racing Calendar: Pogačar's approach to the season differed from that of his rival Jonas Vingegaard.
While Vingegaard focused primarily on stage racing, Pogačar engaged in a full Classics season. This difference in preparation and racing schedule might have had an impact on his performance during the Tour de France.
Training: Pogačar had to contend with recovering from a wrist injury sustained at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which likely affected his training and preparation leading up to the Tour de France. On the other hand, Vingegaard reportedly trained consistently at altitude, which might have given him an edge in form and conditioning.
Expectations: Winning the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021 raised the expectations for Pogačar significantly. The pressure to perform at his best in every race, especially the Tour de France, could have added a psychological burden and affected his mindset during the competition.
Competition: Jonas Vingegaard emerged as a formidable competitor during the Tour de France, and his performance surpassed expectations. Pogačar's rivalries with other top riders, including Vingegaard, might have played a role in the dynamics of the race and impacted his overall performance.
Who is Tadej Pogačar?
Tadej Pogačar is a Slovenian professional cyclist who rides for UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates. Born on September 21, 1998, he has emerged as one of the most exceptional talents in the world of cycling.
Pogačar's career is marked by numerous impressive achievements, including winning the prestigious Tour de France in both the 2020 and 2021 editions. What sets him apart is his ability to claim three different jerseys in each Tour, a feat unseen in nearly four decades.
Renowned for his versatility, Pogačar excels in time-trialing, one-day classic riding, and grand-tour climbing, drawing comparisons to legendary cyclists like Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Fausto Coppi.
Throughout his career, Pogačar has continuously pushed the boundaries of success. Notably, he became the youngest cyclist to win a UCI World Tour race by securing victory in the Tour of California at just 20 years old.
In his debut Grand Tour at the Vuelta a España, he made an indelible mark by winning three stages and finishing third overall, claiming the young rider title. His dominance extends beyond the Tour de France, with victories in one-day Monuments, Paris-Nice, Tirreno–Adriatico, and an Olympic bronze medal in the road race.
Pogačar's consistent performances have solidified his status as the current men's UCI road racing world No.1, holding the top position for a record number of weeks and consecutive weeks in the rankings. With an illustrious career already behind him, Pogačar's potential and prowess continue to captivate the world of professional cycling.
Pogacar Crash Stage 17
In stage 17 of the Tour de France, Tadej Pogačar, riding for UAE Emirates, experienced a significant setback during the race. The stage, covering a 166-kilometer route from Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc to Courchevel, began with an unfortunate crash for the defending champion.
Shortly after the start, Pogačar went down unexpectedly, causing concern among spectators and fellow cyclists. The cause of the crash appeared to be a possible "touch of wheels," according to the Tour announcer.
Video footage analyzed later showed that Pogačar, who is 24 years old, clipped the wheel of another rider while climbing the Col des Saisies, a challenging ascent spanning 13.4 kilometers. The crash resulted in a visible cut on his right leg, leaving Pogačar with a physical challenge to overcome as he continued the race.
Fortunately for Pogačar, he quickly regained his composure and determination. Despite the crash and the bleeding from his injury, he rejoined the main peloton, the large group of cyclists that rides together during a race. However, it wasn't smooth sailing for him from there on.
Jonas Vingegaard, the overall leader of the Tour at that point, was positioned on Pogačar's right during the crash. Remarkably, Vingegaard managed to avoid being caught up in the mayhem and continued without any significant issues.
Pogačar, on the other hand, found himself in a challenging situation, needing to make up time after Vingegaard's impressive individual time trial in the previous stage, where the Danish rider extended his lead over Pogačar by 1 minute and 48 seconds.
Throughout the stage, Pogačar tried to close the time gap, but it became evident that the day's effort was taking a toll on him. As the peloton progressed and the route became more challenging, Pogačar couldn't keep up with the pace set by the general classification leaders. This resulted in a significant gap forming between him and the leading riders.
As the race unfolded, it became clear that Pogačar's hopes of winning the Tour de France for a third time were dwindling. He struggled to maintain his performance and couldn't bridge the gap with the leading pack. The commentators expressed disbelief and disappointment at the turn of events for the defending champion.
In the end, Pogačar crossed the finish line, finishing the stage more than five minutes behind Jonas Vingegaard. This substantial time loss also affected his overall standing in the General Classification, where he lost four minutes, making his chances of winning the Tour for a third time even more challenging.
Despite the setback, Pogačar remained optimistic and determined to keep fighting. After the stage, in a post-race interview, he described feeling empty and exhausted, struggling to find the energy to perform at his best.
However, he expressed hope for recovery and stated his intention to continue pushing hard in the upcoming stages, with his sights set on a potential stage win in stage 20. Pogačar's crash on stage 17 and his subsequent challenges showcased the unpredictable nature of the Tour de France and the physical and mental resilience required to compete at such a high level.
With the race heading into its final week, the drama and excitement were far from over, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the conclusion in Paris.
Is Tadej Pogacar Sick? - FAQs
Yes, Tadej Pogačar is a professional cyclist from Slovenia who rides for UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates.
Pogačar's remarkable achievements include winning the Tour de France in both 2020 and 2021, as well as securing victories in one-day Monuments, Paris-Nice, and Tirreno–Adriatico. He also won a bronze medal in the men's road race at the Olympics in 2021.
Yes, he is the first road cyclist in history to break the 6,000-point barrier in the UCI World Ranking. He has also held the world No.1 ranking for a record total number of weeks and consecutive weeks.
He won the Tour de France at the age of 21, making him the second-youngest winner in history.
Yes, in 2019, Pogačar became the youngest cyclist to win a UCI World Tour race by securing victory in the Tour of California at the age of 20.
Pogačar is comfortable in time-trialing, one-day classic riding, and grand-tour climbing, showcasing his versatility as a cyclist.