Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar pulls out of Olympics with extreme fatigue
Pogačar crosses the finish line of Sunday's time trial in Nice
(CNN) — Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar will not compete at the upcoming Paris Olympics due to fatigue, the Slovenian Olympic Committee announced on Monday.
Pogačar became the first rider since 1998 to win both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia in the same year when he triumphed in cycling’s most iconic race for the third time on Sunday.
The 25-year-old was tipped to claim a further title by winning gold in the men’s Olympic road race in Paris on August 3.
The Slovenian Olympic Committee cited “being too tired” as the reason for Pogačar’s withdrawal from the Olympics, according to Reuters, adding that his place in the team would be taken by Domen Novak.
“Once again, congratulations to the Tour de France winner for his third victory in the world’s most prestigious cycling race, and we hope he rests well and prepares for his next races,” said a statement on social media.
CNN has contacted Pogačar’s representatives for further comment.
At this year’s Tour de France, Pogačar claimed six stage victories – the most since 2009 – and ultimately finished six minutes and 17 seconds ahead of Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard.
He capped off his latest title with victory in Sunday’s time trial in Nice, which marked the final stage of the race.
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