The cycling world was rocked today after Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian sensation and two-time Tour de France champion, made an emotional and unexpected revelation about a serious knee injury that nearly ended his 2024 Tour campaign. Speaking to reporters in Monaco ahead of his next event, Pogačar’s usual calm demeanor shattered as he described the pain, fear, and frustration he endured in silence.

“I started to doubt myself,” he admitted, voice trembling. “This knee… it’s been killing my dream. There were nights I couldn’t sleep, thinking maybe it was over.” The statement stunned fans and media alike, as Pogačar had shown no visible signs of injury during his dominant performance earlier this season. Yet, behind the scenes, it appears he was fighting a hidden battle.

According to close sources within the UAE Team Emirates, Pogačar sustained the injury during an early spring training session near Girona. The team initially believed it was a minor strain, but over time it worsened, threatening his participation in the Tour de France. “He trained through pain that would have broken most riders,” one staff member revealed. “But the mental toll was far worse than the physical one.”

The story took an even darker turn late last night when a secret audio recording allegedly captured inside the UAE medical room surfaced online. The leaked clip, only 37 seconds long, appeared to include heated voices discussing Pogačar’s condition, with one medic warning that “continuing to ride could cause permanent damage.” The audio spread like wildfire across social media, forcing UAE Team Emirates to call an emergency meeting within five minutes of the leak.

Fans and analysts immediately began speculating about internal conflicts within the team, as the recording hinted at disagreements between medical staff and management over whether Pogačar should continue racing. While the authenticity of the audio has not yet been officially confirmed, its timing — just days before a major race — has intensified the controversy.

By morning, the hashtag #PrayForPogacar had gone viral, with supporters around the world expressing concern and admiration for the young champion’s resilience. Former Tour winners and rivals also weighed in, many praising his courage for opening up about his struggles. “This proves he’s not just a machine,” one commentator said. “He’s human — and that makes him even greater.”

As for Pogačar himself, he appeared calm but somber in his final statement before leaving the press conference. “Pain teaches you what strength really means,” he said quietly. “If I have to crawl up Mont Ventoux, I will. My dream is still alive.”

Those words sent chills through fans worldwide. Whether this revelation will strengthen his legacy or mark the beginning of a painful downfall remains uncertain. But one thing is clear — Tadej Pogačar’s battle is far from over, and the world of cycling is watching with bated breath.