The National Times - Tadej Pogacar Out of Vuelta a Espana with Broken Collarbone and Concussion

Tadej Pogacar’s attempt to become only the ninth rider in history to win all three of cycling’s Grand Tours ended on Saturday after a crash forced him out of the Vuelta a Espana. The race leader was diagnosed with a broken collarbone, a concussion, and a cervical fracture, and is facing surgery.

Pogacar, the 27-year-old Slovenian who had worn the red leader’s jersey since winning the opening stage, went down in the peloton with more than 30 kilometers remaining in the stage from Pucol to Xeraco. Television replays showed him swerving to his right and colliding with another rider before falling. He was subsequently hit by other riders coming from behind, some of whom also fell. Replays suggested he may have struck a small object, possibly a rock, on the road.

Pogacar initially attempted to stand and remount his bike as teammates gathered around him, but he sat back down as medical staff rushed to his aid. He later walked into an ambulance with his arm in a sling. UAE Team Emirates-XRG confirmed that he would require surgery for a displaced left clavicle fracture.

"Unfortunately, Tadej suffered a heavy crash during today’s stage and was unable to continue the race," Dr. Adrian Rotunno, the team’s Medical Director, said in a statement. "He is stable, and following a thorough medical assessment at hospital, Tadej has been diagnosed with a concussion, displaced left clavicle fracture, a stable C7 cervical fracture, and multiple abrasions."

Rotunno noted that there were no major injuries beyond those listed and no neurological fallout. However, the surgery for the collarbone will be delayed due to precautions related to the concussion. "Tadej remains under the care of our medical team and we’ll provide further updates following the surgery," he added.

Pogacar entered the final stages with a 3-minute and 50-second lead over second-placed Enric Mas. A victory in the Vuelta would have completed his Grand Tour hat-trick, joining an elite group that includes Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, Alberto Contador, Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana, Tadej Pogacar’s teammate Primož Roglič, and Jonas Vingegaard. Pogacar won the Giro d'Italia in 2024 and his fifth Tour de France last month.

UAE Team Emirates manager Joxean Fernandez Matxin emphasized that the team’s priority was supporting Pogacar as a person rather than focusing on his status as a cyclist or champion. "Now we stay with Tadej the person, his personal situation is bad so we need to stay with him," Fernandez Matxin said. "We need to be with him more in the bad moments than we do in the good ones."

Following Pogacar’s withdrawal, Enric Mas took over the red jersey. The Spanish rider became the first Spaniard to lead the Vuelta since Jesus Herrada in 2018. Primož Roglič, a four-time Vuelta winner and Pogacar’s compatriot, moved into second place, one minute behind Mas.

The stage was won by Frenchman Bryan Coquard, who crossed the line after another crash occurred in the final kilometer. Mads Pedersen finished second, and Jordi Meeus took third. On the podium, a sombre Mas accepted the red jersey but did not wear it, holding it in front of him instead.

"It’s a real shame," Mas said regarding Pogacar’s exit. "I hope he gets better quickly. We've still got a few races left and I hope he'll be in good shape for them."

Pogacar’s teammates, who had stopped to assist him after the crash, crossed the finish line nearly 12 minutes behind the main peloton.

P.Sinclair--TNT