Tour de France Champion Pogacar Pulls Out of Paris 2024

Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar has withdrawn from the Olympic Games due to “extreme fatigue,” according to the Slovenian Olympic Committee. Pogacar, who secured his third Tour de France title by winning the final stage time trial, had planned to compete in the road race on August 3 in Paris. The 25-year-old Slovenian cyclist added this year’s Tour de France victory to his earlier triumph in the Giro d’Italia, becoming the first rider to win both prestigious races in the same year since Marco Pantani in 1998.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Pogacar decided to forgo the Olympics to recover from the intense demands of his recent racing schedule. Slovenia’s Olympic cycling coach, Uros Murn confirmed Pogacar’s withdrawal, citing severe exhaustion as the reason. Pogacar’s impressive performance this season established him as one of the top cyclists in the world but his decision to step back from the Olympics reflects the toll that such a grueling season took on his body.

The Olympic Games will start in Paris on Friday but Pogacar will not compete in the road race which had been one of the highly anticipated events. His absence marks a significant shift in the cycling event, given his status as a leading figure in the sport. In summary, Pogacar’s withdrawal highlights the physical demands of elite cycling and the importance of recovery. His achievements in both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia set a high bar for the sport but even top athletes must manage their health and well-being carefully.