Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme spoke about the race's headliners and main contenders after the 2027 route reveal, and discussed the potential scenario in which Tadej Pogacar might suffer from the injuries suffered at this summer's Vuelta a España.

The former World Champion crashed hard after hitting a rock during stage 8 of the Spanish Grand Tour, suffering a fractured vertebra, collarbone and a concussion. This kept him out of the World, European Championships and Il Lombardia - as well as the Vuelta which he was leading.

The discourse over social media was on whether the route suited Tadej Pogacar or the likes of Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas better. But a separate question is on Pogacar's recovery.

"The real question for me – and I obviously wish him all the best – is how well he’ll have recovered from his very, very, very serious crash in the Vuelta a España," Prudhomme said in words to L'Équipe.

"Because his talent lies not only in his physical superiority, but also in his riding skills. His descent of the Tourmalet last summer was mind-blowing and jaw-dropping. As you get older, after such a massive crash, are you still the same person? Do you take as many risks?"

Tadej Pogacar suffered several injuries after his La Vuelta crash

Eddy Merckx comparison

Pogacar's superiority in the Grand Tours has been absolute since the start of 2024, whereas the end of his era does not appear to be within sight.. Whether that will be within a few years - the Slovenian has a contract until 2032 - or earlier cannot be answered at the moment.

Prudhomme has left the door open for what may be the post-crash Pogacar, who has sustained the first major injury of his career since turning pro. "There are certainly questions lingering after his crash. Whether it has left its mark on him and what the consequences will be," he said.

"Eddy Merckx has always said that he was never the same again after his crash in Blois; he was undoubtedly scarred morally and mentally, but he also says he was never the same in the mountains afterwards," he gave as an example, "but that didn’t stop him from winning four more Tours de France after that".

Pogacar is reported to have begun training for the 2027 season whilst a return to racing in January has been speculated on for the past few weeks.