Tadej Pogačar fined 5000 CHF for jersey design worn on Liège-Bastogne-Liège podium, later overturned by race jury

Tadej Pogačar’s celebration following his fourth victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2026 was overshadowed by controversy when he was initially fined 5,000 Swiss francs by the race jury for an alleged breach related to his World Champion jersey. The fine was issued shortly after the podium ceremony and cited a violation concerning the placement of advertising on the jersey during the award presentation. Specifically, the issue appeared to centre on the presence of a personal sponsor’s logo, watchmaker Richard Mille, on the sleeve of Pogačar’s long-sleeve podium jersey. Despite the initial penalty, the fine was later rescinded after UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Pogačar’s team, confirmed to La Gazzetta dello Sport that the sanction had been overturned. The rider had been wearing the jersey with the Richard Mille logo throughout the season without prior incident, and the UCI’s regulations on jersey advertising have recently been relaxed. UCI officials at Liège-Bastogne-Liège acknowledged an error in applying the fine, noting that there is no explicit rule prohibiting sponsor logos on the wrist area of the jersey, and the maximum fine for advertising infringements is usually much lower than the amount initially imposed. On the sporting front, Pogačar delivered a commanding performance to secure his fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège title, breaking away from his closest rival Paul Seixas on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons with nearly 14 kilometres remaining. Seixas held on for second place, while Remco Evenepoel won the sprint from the chase group to claim third. The podium celebrations, however, were briefly marred by the jersey controversy, which sparked confusion as no clear explanation was provided by the race jury or UCI at the time the fine was announced. The incident highlights ongoing complexities around sponsorship and branding in professional cycling, particularly concerning World Champion jerseys, which are subject to strict regulations. The reversal of the fine may prompt further clarification from the UCI on permissible advertising placements to avoid similar disputes in future races. For now, Pogačar’s victory remains the headline, underscoring his dominance in the Spring Classics season despite the off-track distraction.