Tadej Pogacar's Injury Alters World Stage as UAE Team Emirates-XRG Caps Dominant Season

Tadej Pogacar's late-season absence has reshaped the road cycling landscape, with his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Brandon McNulty seizing the opportunity to become the first American man since 1993 to win the World Road Race Championships. Pogacar, the Slovenian superstar, missed the event in Montreal on September 27 after suffering fractures to his neck and collarbone in a crash on stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espana in August. His team, however, ended its campaign on a high note with 78 victories, including McNulty's win at the Veneto Classic on October 19.

How Pogacar's Injury Opened the Door for a New World Champion

Pogacar's withdrawal from the World Championships in Montreal created a rare power vacuum. For the first time in years, the peloton faced a major one-day race without the sport's most dominant rider. This dramatically altered the tactical landscape. "When Tadej is there on a course like this, it’s almost inevitable that he’s going to win if he’s in good shape," said Irish contender Ben Healy, who finished third behind Pogacar in 2025. "The fact that he’s not there is pretty exciting for a lot of people." The open race culminated in a historic victory for McNulty, who covered nearly 170 miles to secure the rainbow jersey that many assumed would be Pogacar's to defend.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG Finishes a Record Season Without Its Leader

The team's depth was on full display in the final events of 2026. With Pogacar sidelined, other riders stepped up to maintain the squad's overwhelming success. Brandon McNulty, already the new world champion, won the Veneto Classic in Italy on October 19, finishing over a minute ahead of the competition. Teammate Pavel Sivakov joined him on the podium in third place in his final race for the team. A day earlier, Jay Vine secured second place at the Chrono des Nations time trial in France. These results capped a staggering year where the Emirati squad amassed 78 victories, a clear demonstration of its collective strength even when its biggest star is absent.

While his teammates raced, Pogacar was already looking ahead. The 28-year-old has begun outlining his plans for the 2027 season as he recovers from the injuries that ended his 2026 campaign prematurely. The specific details of his schedule remain under wraps, but his return will be one of the most anticipated storylines in the sport. His absence also led to speculation about his participation in other late-season events, with one source noting he appeared to be hesitating about the European Championships in early October, which he ultimately did not contest.

The Rivals Who Stepped Into the Spotlight

Pogacar's crash didn't just benefit his teammate. It created a window for a broader group of contenders to chase glory. Ben Healy saw it as his best chance for an elite world title. Great Britain's team also felt their prospects improved significantly with the Slovenian out of the picture. The eventual podium in Montreal, and the subsequent late-season races, highlighted the depth of talent waiting for any slip from the very top. Remco Evenepoel, who won the Chrono des Nations time trial ahead of Jay Vine, remains a constant rival, but for one late summer weekend, the race was truly anyone's to win.

• Brandon McNulty won the World Road Race Championships on September 27, ending a 33-year drought for American men.
• Tadej Pogacar missed the worlds due to fractures from a Vuelta a Espana crash on stage 8 in August.
• UAE Team Emirates-XRG concluded the season with 78 total victories after McNulty's win at the Veneto Classic on October 19.
• Pogacar is now formulating his racing program for the 2027 season during his recovery.