A thrill, a suggestion, a surprise. When the UEC - the European Cycling Union - published this morning on its website the list of entries for the European championship that will take place in Slovenia from October 2-7, the social media world of cycling was shaken by a tremor because among the athletes from Slovenia appears the name of Tadej Pogacar.

But how? Does that mean he's racing? Posts, questions, answers and doubts, but also dubious responses began to chase each other to the point that UAE Emirates XRG found itself having to clarify the situation in light of contacts and requests arriving from multiple sources: «This is probably an old list. Although Tadej has returned to light indoor training, the plan does not include him racing any other events this year». 

The entry lists, because that's what these are, are "extended entries" that each federation submits to the UEC and which in any case leave ample room for maneuver in selecting the riders to field and also for adding new names compared to such lists. 

That these are outdated lists is proven by the presence of some names - that of Urska Zigart, for example, to stay connected to Slovenia - of athletes who have suffered serious injuries and who certainly will not be able to race at the European Championships.

But evidently there is such a desire for Pogacar that it was enough to read his name...