TADEJ POGAČAR SHOCKS CYCLING FANS: ‘I’VE BEEN RACING WITH A SECRET INJURY FOR TWO YEARS’…..READ MORE……
LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA — In a revelation that has stunned the cycling world, two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar has admitted in a candid interview that he’s been quietly battling a chronic injury for the past two years — all while continuing to dominate the sport.
The 25-year-old Slovenian superstar made the shocking confession during a private sit-down with a European sports magazine, excerpts of which surfaced online late Sunday. In the interview, Pogačar revealed he has been dealing with a nagging pelvic imbalance and recurring hip strain that have affected his training and recovery since 2022.
“I didn’t want to talk about it because I didn’t want it to be an excuse,” Pogačar reportedly said. “But the truth is, I’ve been riding with pain — sometimes mild, sometimes really bad — for over two seasons. It’s been a mental and physical battle.”
Despite this, Pogačar has continued to amass wins and podium finishes, including his brilliant performance in the 2023 and 2024 Monuments, as well as a second-place finish in the 2023 Tour de France. His relentless attacking style and calm demeanor made it hard for fans — and even competitors — to suspect anything was wrong.
Behind the scenes, however, Pogačar and his team at UAE Team Emirates were reportedly engaged in a complex balancing act: managing the injury while keeping him in peak condition for the biggest races on the calendar. Specialized physiotherapists, strength coaches, and sports psychologists were discreetly brought in to keep the problem under control.
“He never once used it as an excuse,” said a team insider who spoke under condition of anonymity. “Even when he was clearly struggling, especially on longer climbs or consecutive race days, he just pushed through it. It’s part of what makes him so remarkable.”
The injury, according to sources, stemmed from an imbalance in his riding position after a crash during a training camp in late 2021. Though he never reported it publicly, scans revealed a subtle pelvic misalignment that put strain on his hip flexors and lower back.
“It’s something that doesn’t just go away,” Pogačar admitted. “It affects how you sit, how you pedal, how you recover. Some days, getting back on the bike felt like starting over.”
What makes the story even more extraordinary is that his rivals had no idea. Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and others battled him across Grand Tours and classics, unaware that the Slovenian they were chasing was riding at less than 100 percent.
The cycling community has responded with a mix of admiration and disbelief.
“If that’s what he’s doing while injured, imagine him fully healthy,” tweeted former world champion Philippe Gilbert. “Pogačar’s mental strength is next level.”
Fans, too, were quick to react, flooding social media with praise for the rider’s courage and humility.
“I always thought there was something superhuman about Tadej,” one fan wrote. “Now I know it’s just incredible toughness.”
Others were surprised that such a major athlete could keep such a serious issue under wraps for so long.
“How did no one know?” another fan asked. “The guy wins monuments with one leg and smiles doing it.”
With the news now public, questions are swirling about what’s next for Pogačar. Sources suggest he has been undergoing a specialized off-season rehab program and may adjust his race schedule slightly in 2025 to focus on full recovery.
“I’ve learned to listen to my body more,” he said in the interview. “Sometimes you think pain is part of the job — and in many ways it is — but if you want to stay at the top, you have to take care of yourself in every possible way.”
Pogačar’s team has not issued an official statement but is expected to address the situation during a scheduled press conference next week.
If anything, this revelation only cements Tadej Pogačar’s status as one of the toughest and most resilient cyclists of his generation. Racing — and winning — through pain is a hallmark of cycling legends, and with this latest twist, his legend has only grown.
As one longtime fan put it: “We knew he had the legs. Now we know he has the heart.”
