Liège-Bastogne-Liège: Tadej Pogačar will not compete after passing of mother-in-law

Tadej Pogačar will not defend his title in Sunday's Liège-Bastogne-Liège cycling race (WorldTour). The 23-year-old rider of UAE Team Emirates announced this on his social media the day before the race.

Following the death of his fiancée Urska Zigart's mother, Pogačar hurriedly returned to his homeland Slovenia for family reasons after his 12th place in the Flèche Wallonne on Thursday. On Saturday, he decided to skip La Doyenne to support his partner. ​ 

Following the death of his fiancée Urska Zigart's mother, Pogačar hurriedly returned to his homeland Slovenia for family reasons after his 12th place in the Flèche Wallonne on Thursday. Today, he has decided to skip La Doyenne to support his partner. ​ 

 "Sadly I won't be at the start of Liège-Bastogne-Liège tomorrow," writes the two-time Tour winner. "It's been a tough few days but I'd like to thank everybody for their understanding. A special thank you to UAE Team Emirates and especially to Mauro Gianetti and team president Matar for their support in this situation," Pogačar concluded.

Pogačar's mother-in-law was a cancer patient, but her death was nonetheless unexpected. Earlier, the rider duo had rescheduled their wedding in the hope that Zigart's mother would be able to attend. Pogačar will be replaced in the selection by American Brandon McNulty.

(KOR)

Tadej Pogačar pictured at the start of 'La Fleche Wallonne' on 20 April 2022 © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOB