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"
.
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 started the 2026 Tour de Suisse with a dominant performance and has only strengthened his position.
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
.
Despite the emotional weight of Žigart's crash, Pogačar finished 8th, four seconds down, and built his GC advantage further .
Pogačar retained the yellow jersey, finishing safely in the peloton. The general classification after Stage 3 shows him with a commanding lead .
| 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" |
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" .
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