Pogačar reassures fans: "I'm improving every day after my crash."

After weeks away from the spotlight due to a broken collarbone and neck sustained in a crash at the Vuelta a España last August, Tadej Pogačar has returned to the spotlight with an update.

Connected via video call during the presentation of the 2031 UCI 'Super' World Championships in Trentino, the Slovenian phenomenon declared that he feels "better and better day after day after the accident".

The injury forced him to forgo the defense of his world title and, consequently, the possibility of competing at the UEC European Championships currently underway in Slovenia. Despite this, the two-time World Champion has returned home, where he was spotted training with his partner and professional rider Urška Žigart and Denmark's Mikkel Honoré, an encouraging sign for those hoping to see him back in the peloton soon.

Pogačar, however, did not miss the opportunity to follow the World Championships up close, celebrating the surprise victory of his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Brandon McNulty, who triumphed solo to give the United States their first elite men's world title since 1993. After Sunday's feat, the Slovenian crowned his teammate "the King of Montreal."

"I'm feeling great, thank you. I'm getting better every day after the crash. I'm back on the bike and enjoying these beautiful autumn days here in Slovenia," said Pogačar, adding a behind-the-scenes look at the World Championships finale: "I was definitely cheering on some riders in the finale, and one of them was Brandon. It was such a frenetic race that when he crossed the finish line, I couldn't believe it. I was so happy for him. We spoke the next day, and it was a really special moment."

As for his return to competition, Pogačar is expected to return to the 2027 World Championships in Haute-Savoie, the next 'Super' event after Glasgow 2023. But the Slovenian is already looking further ahead, hoping to still be in the running when 2031 comes around.

Having renewed his contract with UAE Team Emirates-XRG until 2032 last September, the Slovenian is expected to still be in the peloton then, but he humbly admitted that future competition could hold surprises: "I hope to be there racing. It's my dream to still be strong then. But I'm not getting any younger, so there will definitely be many, many rivals for those World Championships, maybe even athletes I don't know yet, and every year it will be more difficult," Pogačar explained.

"But no matter what, I can't wait to be there in 2031 for this Super World Championship and to compete in the splendid setting of Trentino. I'll give it my all if I have the chance."

For now, while his condition continues to improve, the Slovenian champion will only be seen in the saddle during training with Žigart, with the UAE team having confirmed that a return for the European Championships or the Lombardia is impossible.

"We ride together almost every day, obviously with different training plans," the Slovenian said with a hint of self-deprecation. "But, for example, in the last few days she's literally outpaced me both uphill and downhill, so now I'm the one who follows her pace, and we have a lot of fun training together."