Who Is Tadej Pogačar’s Girlfriend? Meet Slovenian Cyclist Urska Žigart
- Urška Žigart is a Slovenian professional cyclist and Tadej Pogačar’s fiancée.
- The couple met through cycling in 2017 and announced their engagement in 2021.
- Žigart recently sparked debate by raising concerns about athlete burnout and demanding race schedules.
As Tadej Pogačar begins his quest for a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title on Saturday, interest in his life off the bike is also surging. The Slovenian cycling superstar has been in a long-term relationship with fellow professional cyclist Urška Žigart, one of Slovenia’s top female riders, with the couple regularly supporting each other through the sport’s biggest races. Here’s everything to know about Žigart, her cycling career and her relationship with Pogačar.
Who Is Urška Žigart?
Urška Žigart, born on Dec. 4, 1996, in Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia, is a professional road cyclist who has raced for several Women’s WorldTour teams during her career. Her path into cycling was a little different from that of many elite riders. She did not start competing seriously until she was 18. Before that, she was involved in athletics, and it was her mother who encouraged her to try cycling after noticing her natural ability.
Reflecting on her late start, Žigart once said: “I only started racing when I was 18. In bike years, I am much younger than Tadej is.” Even though she came to the sport later than most professionals, Žigart progressed quickly. Her talent soon caught the attention of coaches, and she earned a place in Slovenia’s top women’s cycling program.
Outside of cycling, she has also pursued academics. Žigart studied law at university, though she later put her studies on hold to focus fully on her professional racing career.
Cycling Career
Žigart has become one of Slovenia’s top female climbers, known for thriving on tough mountain stages. “I am a climber. The more mountains, the better,” she said after her breakthrough win at the 2021 Vuelta Comunitat Valenciana Féminas.
Her rise came gradually. In her early years, she said she was often “mostly in survival mode,” but over time, she moved from simply finishing races to attacking in breakaways and winning at the professional level.
She has raced for several Women’s WorldTour teams, including Team BikeExchange, where cycling became her full-time job. Looking ahead, she has said she hopes to compete for victory in major races like Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes and Strade Bianche Donne.
Inside Pogačar and Žigart’s Relationship
Tadej Pogačar and Urška Žigart met in 2019 at a Slovenian cycling training camp in Ljubljana. Their friendship grew into a relationship, and they got engaged in September 2021. They have not publicly confirmed being married.
Fans love them as one of cycling’s favorite couples because they genuinely support each other’s careers. Žigart is often there to celebrate Pogačar’s wins, while he follows her races and praises her achievements. Off the bike, they help each other too. She has supported his nutrition and media confidence, while his calm attitude helps her manage race pressure. Their shared love of cycling and strong mutual respect make them an admired pair in the sport.