Pogačar Faces Heartbreak as UAE Team Issues Emotional Plea Over Online Attacks on Young Rider Johansson
In the fast-paced world of professional cycling, riders battle exhaustion, injury, and tactical mind games on the road—but few are prepared for the ruthless backlash that can happen online. This week, the cycling community was left stunned when Tadej Pogačar, one of the sport’s most celebrated champions, found himself caught in the middle of a social media storm involving his own fanbase. The controversy has revealed the dark side of fandom and forced the UAE Emirates team to break their silence with a powerful, heartfelt statement.
The drama unfolded after young Norwegian rider Emil Johansson, a promising talent just beginning to establish his reputation in World Tour races, became the target of online abuse. Johansson, racing alongside Pogačar in a recent mountain stage, made a bold move to attack early on a climb, inadvertently interfering with Pogačar’s pacing strategy. Though the move was within the bounds of racing tactics, some Pogačar supporters viewed it as disrespectful or even treacherous.
What followed was a barrage of online harassment directed at Johansson. From vicious comments to threatening direct messages, the abuse escalated quickly. Fans accused him of sabotaging Pogačar’s race, calling for him to be banned, and questioning his place in professional cycling altogether. The fact that Johansson is only 21 years old made the attacks even more distressing.
Tadej Pogačar, known for his humility and sportsmanship, was reportedly devastated when he discovered what his fans had done. According to team insiders, the Slovenian star was “visibly shaken” and “deeply troubled” by the online hate campaign. He immediately reached out to Johansson to offer personal support and has since vowed to use his platform to address the toxicity that can spread so easily in competitive sports.
On Sunday evening, the UAE Emirates team released an official statement that resonated across the cycling world. The post, shared on their social media accounts, contained just five words that cut straight to the heart of the issue:
“Stop tearing young riders apart.”
The message was simple but carried immense emotional weight. The team emphasized that cycling is already one of the most grueling sports on earth and that the pressure on young athletes is enormous without the additional burden of online abuse. They urged fans to remember that riders are human beings, not robots or entertainment products. The statement quickly went viral, drawing support from other riders, teams, and fans who echoed the call for compassion.
Pogačar himself followed up with his own message, writing, “I’ve raced against Emil many times. He’s talented, brave, and learning. We need to support young riders, not break them. Please think before you post.”
Cycling legend Chris Froome and other high-profile figures also joined the conversation, warning about the dangerous mental health toll that social media harassment can cause, especially among younger athletes still adjusting to the spotlight.
This incident has sparked broader conversations about how fans interact with athletes online. While passion and loyalty are essential parts of sport, unchecked hostility can cross the line into bullying and abuse. Teams and governing bodies are now being urged to create better guidelines and protections for riders who find themselves under digital attack.
As the peloton moves forward into the next stages of the racing season, one thing is clear: the cycling community has been forced to confront a painful truth about fandom in the digital age. For Pogačar and the UAE Emirates team, this moment serves as a sobering reminder that winning races is only part of the battle—the bigger fight may be for respect, empathy, and humanity in sport.
