Urška Žigart Crash at Tour de Suisse Women 2026: Fractured Jaw, Pogačar's Reaction & Race Update

The 2026 Tour de Suisse Women's second stage was overshadowed by a terrifying high‑speed crash involving Slovenian rider Urška Žigart, the fiancée of men's race leader Tadej Pogačar. Here is a full account of the incident, her injuries, Pogačar's emotional reaction, and his dominant position in the concurrent men's event.

The Crash: How It Happened

On Thursday, June 18, during Stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse Women, Urška Žigart crashed heavily near the final kilometre approaching Locarno. She lost control after hitting a road bump at high speed, fell headfirst onto the asphalt, and remained motionless on the road before being taken to hospital . The impact was so severe that several other riders collided as they tried to avoid her .

Žigart's Condition: Fractured Jaw and Discharge

Following the crash, Žigart was immediately attended to by race medical staff and transferred to hospital for further examinations . Her team, AG Insurance-Soudal, confirmed in an official medical update that she had sustained a fractured jaw (mandible fracture) . Reports also noted facial abrasions and the loss of several teeth, and doctors evaluated her for a possible concussion .

Crucially, further hospital assessments detected no other injuries . Žigart was kept in hospital overnight for observation but was discharged the following day . Speaking ahead of Stage 3, Pogačar told reporters: "I saw Urška yesterday after the stage in hospital. They kept her overnight but she was discharged. She is in a positive spirit — she's a fighter and very strong" .

Tadej Pogačar's Reaction: 'He Usually Blocks Everything Out'

Pogačar received the news of Žigart's crash just before his own Stage 2 start in the men's race . UAE Team Emirates-XRG manager Mauro Gianetti described the world champion as visibly shaken: "He usually blocks everything out, but not when it's his girlfriend" . Gianetti personally visited Žigart before the start and reassured Pogačar that her injuries were not life‑threatening .

Pogačar decided to race after speaking with Žigart and learning she was conscious . He rode Stage 2 in a subdued state, finishing 8th — four seconds behind stage winner Romain Grégoire — yet still extended his overall lead to nearly three minutes . After the stage, he skipped media duties and rushed straight to Locarno Hospital to be with her .

Pogačar's Race Status and Schedule at the 2026 Tour de Suisse

Pogačar started the 2026 Tour de Suisse with a dominant performance and has only strengthened his position.

Stage 1 (June 17) — Sondrio → Sondrio (144 km, hilly)

Pogačar launched a stunning 70 km solo attack, winning the opening stage by 2 min 14 sec and taking the overall lead and yellow jersey . It was his 10th victory of the season from just 12 race days .

Stage 2 (June 18) — Sondrio → Locarno (157.7 km)

Despite the emotional weight of Žigart's crash, Pogačar finished 8th, four seconds down, and built his GC advantage further .

Stage 3 (June 19)

Pogačar retained the yellow jersey, finishing safely in the peloton. The general classification after Stage 3 shows him with a commanding lead .

General Classification After Stage 3

Rank	Rider	Team	Time
1	Tadej Pogačar	UAE Team Emirates XRG	10h 29' 52"
2	Richard Carapaz	EF Education–EasyPost	+ 2' 48"
3	Andrea Bagioli	Lidl–Trek	+ 3' 03"
4	Ilan Van Wilder	Soudal–Quick-Step	+ 4' 37"
5	Romain Grégoire	Groupama–FDJ	+ 4' 49"

Upcoming Stages

• Stage 4 (Sat June 20) — Binningen → Schwarzenburg
• Stage 5 (Sun June 21) — Schwarzenburg → Lenzerheide
• The race concludes on June 24.

With a lead of 2 min 48 sec after Stage 3 and his dominant opening‑stage performance, Pogačar is in a commanding position to win the overall classification. After visiting Žigart in hospital, he said her message to him was simple: "She asked me to bring home the yellow jersey" .