Luka Mezgec has maintained that Tadej Pogačar withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympics solely because of the exclusion of his associate Urška Žigart from the Slovenian ladies’s crew.
Despite successful the Slovenian nationwide street race title by over ten minutes, Žigart was surprisingly omitted from the Olympic crew in favour of Eugenia Bujak and Urška Pintar.
Pogačar’s speedy response to the information was a social media put up saying “no phrases,” whereas his and Žigart’s agent Alex Carera claimed that the Slovenian selectors had “broken biking.”
Shortly after sealing general victory on the Tour de France, Pogačar introduced that he had opted in opposition to competing on the Paris Olympics, citing fatigue. Speaking at a post-Tour criterium within the Netherlands, Pogačar conceded that Žigart’s omission had additionally been a think about his determination. “It’s not the primary purpose, however for certain it did not assist,” he mentioned.
Mezgec, who will line out in Saturday’s street race on a Slovenian crew that features Matej Mohorič, Domen Novak and Jan Tratnik, mentioned that he believed Pogačar had pulled out purely due to Žigart’s exclusion.
The Jayco-Alula indicated his perception that Žigart was worthy of a spot in Paris, however he instructed that the Slovenian federation ought to have chosen her for the Games in any case as a way to guarantee Pogačar’s participation.
“As for the official purpose that he’s drained, I imagine it isn’t probably the most life like,” Mezgec advised RTV Slovenija. “I do know that even when he was as drained as he was on his deathbed, he would have come right here if Urška have been right here, as a result of he wouldn’t have been mendacity alone at dwelling.
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“If there was a 1% likelihood that he would need to keep at dwelling for any purpose, that proportion can be a lot smaller if Urška have been right here. Wherever Urška is, Tadej is just too.
“It might sound nasty, however perhaps we must always have risked one place for Urška, even when she had not been one of the best. That’s the way in which it’s, however even when she wasn’t, they need to have secured Tadej with this transfer, however they did not. Unfortunately, the decision-makers didn’t foresee all eventualities.”
Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates companion Domen Novak was known as as much as the Slovenian quartet as his alternative. Novak instructed that Pogačar had opted in opposition to the Olympics largely on account of his exertions in finishing the Giro-Tour double, in addition to his acknowledged purpose of successful the World Championships in Zurich subsequent month.
“I believe his purpose is to compete within the Worlds on the finish of the season,” Novak mentioned. “And if he desires to carry out effectively there, he should additionally emphasise restoration and his household.”
In Pogačar’s absence, Mohorič is Slovenia’s almost definitely medal contender on Saturday. The Bahrain Victorious rider confirmed that he had tried to influence Pogačar to race in Paris.
“I attempted to persuade him, however I additionally perceive his determination and logic,” Mohorič mentioned. “Unfortunately, it’s what it’s.”
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