Pogacar's European Championships absence was his own call, says Slovenia coach

Tadej Pogačar’s absence from the European Championships was “more of a personal decision by him," according to Slovenian national team coach Uroš Murn.

The defending champion was left out of Slovenia’s final selection for Sunday’s road race, ending speculation over whether he could make an early return following his crash at the Vuelta a España at the end of August. 

Reports earlier this week had suggested that Pogačar had been pushing to compete at the European Championships on home roads, despite UAE Team Emirates-XRG expressing serious reservations over the timing of a comeback. 

Speaking to CyclingProNet before the start of Sunday’s road race, Murn confirmed that Pogačar’s participation remained a possibility in the days leading up to the event.

“Yeah, we all know that he [Pogačar] had a real desire to race this race, but unfortunately he cannot,” Murn told CyclingProNet.

Asked whether there had been a chance Pogačar could still race just days before, Murn replied: “Yes, it was.”

But when he was asked who made the final call, and whether it was a team or federation decision, Murn suggested that it was Pogačar himself who had the decisive say.

“I think it was the right decision for him. Even if we miss him here in the team, I think he made the right decision,” he said. “I think it was a more personal decision by him.”

Despite Pogačar’s absence from the peloton, the Slovenian will be in attendance at the event as he supports his compatriots, spearheaded by Primož Roglič.

“Yes, he will be here,” Murn confirmed. “He didn’t have time, but we were in contact; he will be here for sure.”

With an in-form Roglič leading the line who finished second at the Vuelta before a combative Worlds performance, Slovenia had plenty of firepower despite the absent defending champion. 

The team can also call on the talented Jakob Omrzel, who won a stage and finished seventh at the Vuelta on his Grand Tour debut. 

Murn acknowledged that despite the Slovenian team’s strength and the fact they are the host nation, the onus to control the race will be on Belgium, who are led by Remco Evenepoel.

“Yes, I think they [Belgium] are the main favourites,” Murn said. “I think they will control the race and we will adapt to that.”