Urška Žigart Update: Slovenian Champion Solidifies WorldTour Standing In 2026

Slovenian cycling star Urška Žigart continues her strong momentum in the 2026 UCI Women’s WorldTour, establishing herself as a vital climbing asset and time-trial force for AG Insurance-Soudal Team. Entering the peak of the current season, the multi-time national champion remains a key figure to watch across major European stage races.

From National Dominance to Elite WorldTour Competitor

Urška Žigart’s professional progression has been marked by steady, calculated growth. After developing her foundational skills with BTC City Ljubljana and spending four impactful seasons with Liv AlUla Jayco, Žigart made a high-profile transition to AG Insurance-Soudal ahead of the 2025 campaign under a multi-year deal running through 2026.

Her career trajectory showcases a rider capable of excelling on demanding terrain. Žigart has dominated the Slovenian National Time Trial Championships with victories in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, alongside a decisive double victory in 2024 where she secured both the road race and time trial titles.

Beyond domestic success, Žigart has repeatedly proven her capabilities on steep European gradients. Her top-10 overall finish at the Tour de Suisse Women demonstrated her capacity to compete directly against the elite mountain specialists in stage racing.

Tactical Ascent: How Žigart Powers AG Insurance-Soudal

Within the AG Insurance-Soudal squad, Žigart has embraced an expanded role that combines tactical freedom with high-level team duties. The Belgian outfit heavily utilizes her endurance and pace-setting abilities in high-altitude mountain stages.

Key tactical contributions of Žigart’s current campaign include:

• High-Mountain Pacing: Serving as an elite climbing super-domestique during decisive summit finishes in European WorldTour events.
• Breakaway Threat: Leveraging her solo time-trial capability to trigger long-range tactical breakaway attempts.
• Stage Race Consistency: Providing reliable General Classification insurance during multi-day stage races.

Her seamless integration into the squad has fortified AG Insurance-Soudal's presence in the mountains. Observers note that her technical time-trial abilities allow her to maintain critical position during complex multi-stage events.

2026 WorldTour Calendar and Grand Tour Ambitions

As the 2026 racing calendar progresses toward late-season objectives, Žigart remains focused on targeting key mountain stages and representing Slovenia on the international stage. Her consistent output puts her in prime position for major stage race selections through the autumn block.

Beyond individual ambitions, Žigart remains half of cycling's premier power couple alongside fiance Tadej Pogačar. Both Slovenian riders continue to anchor elite performances at the highest echelon of professional cycling, drawing global attention to Slovenian sports dominance.

With solid health, contract stability through 2026, and a designated tactical role on a top-tier team, Žigart is positioned to deliver key performances as the WorldTour calendar reaches its final stretch.