Serene
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Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar will not compete at the upcoming Paris Olympics due to fatigue, the cyclist and the Slovenian Olympic Committee announced on Monday.
“After an intense few months, I’m going to take a bit of rest and build up to the World Championships where I look forward to wearing the Slovenian colours again with pride,” the cyclist wrote on his Instagram Stories.
“Just want to say best of luck to Domen Novak who will take my place in Paris and to all the other athletes heading to the Olympics. I wish you the best!”
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, confirming that his place in the team would be taken by Novak.