Pogacar snubbed again for nomination for World Sport Star award at BBC SPOTY

The World Sport Star award is awarded to a non-British sportsperson considered to have made the biggest impact in a sport in that year, as part of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event.

Despite his staggering success on the road in 2025, with 20 victories, including three monuments, the Tour de France, as well as both the European and World Road Race titles, Pogačar has missed the cut, just as he did twelve months ago.

Twelve months ago, it was Swedish sensation Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, the two-time Olympic pole vaulter champion, who claimed the award, joining a prestigious list including stars such as Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, and Lionel Messi, but Pogačar wasn't one of the six nominees on that occasion, nor is he this time around.

The nominations for 2026 include Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah and Arsenal Women midfielder Mariona Caldentey. Boxer Terrance Crawford, Athletics star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Baseball designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani are also nominees. Meanwhile, defending champion Mondo Duplantis has once more been nominated for the award.

The World Sport Star award has been won before by a cyclist, back in 1963 when Jacques Anquetil was awarded the prize following his fourth of five Tour de France victories. Lance Armstrong also won the award in 2003, before later being stripped of it when doping allegations found that the American used performance-enhancing drugs over his career.

The main award of the event is the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, awarding the sportsperson, who is judged by a public vote, to have achieved the most in that year.

Geraint Thomas was the last cyclist to win the award in 2018, after his Tour de France triumph, joining Bradley Wiggins (2012), Mark Cavendish (2011) and Tom Simpson (1965) as road riders to win the award, as well as Chris Hoy (2008) on the track.

Ultimately, it does make you wonder how much more Pogačar would need to do in order to be nominated for this award, considering his stunning palmares and performances.