Pogacar Withdraws From Vuelta After Heavy Crash on Stage Eight

Overview

• The crash occurred on Saturday during stage eight near Xeraco and forced Tadej Pogacar to abandon the race after he was evacuated to hospital in an ambulance with visible shoulder and facial wounds.
• UAE Team Emirates reported a concussion, a displaced fracture of the left clavicle, a stable fracture at C7 and multiple abrasions and said clavicle surgery is planned but will be postponed because of the head injury.
• Television footage and multiple media outlets show Pogacar’s bike striking a stone on the road before he lost control and fell, raising questions about road hazards in the peloton.
• Sporting repercussions were immediate: Bryan Coquard won the stage and Enric Mas inherited the overall lead but refused to wear the red jersey on the podium out of respect for Pogacar.
• Pogacar’s withdrawal, his first in a Grand Tour, leaves his season and his participation at the world championships in Montreal uncertain and opens the Vuelta to a renewed group of contenders.