Five-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar, a strong contender in the Spanish Vuelta, had to withdraw from the race following a crash on the eighth stage. Despite holding a significant lead, the Slovenian cyclist was involved in an incident about 33 kilometers from the finish line. He attempted to continue but ultimately had to abandon the race, walking to an ambulance as confirmed by race officials.
Pogacar, aiming to join the elite group of male cyclists who have conquered all three Grand Tour events, recently secured his fifth Tour de France victory and a Giro d’Italia title in 2024. Sustaining injuries to his head, left arm, and shoulder during the crash, Pogacar’s attempt to avoid an obstacle on the road led to him losing control and tumbling over his handlebars.
The team manager, Matxin Joxean Fernandez, revealed that Pogacar required stitches for his injuries, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of cycling accidents. Despite initial efforts to continue riding, Pogacar’s shoulder pain forced him to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the Vuelta.
Enric Mas of Movistar took over the race lead from Pogacar after the incident, with Pogacar’s absence reshuffling the standings. Mas expressed mixed emotions about inheriting the lead under such circumstances, emphasizing his concern for Pogacar’s well-being and opting not to wear the leader’s jersey out of respect.
Pogacar’s main competitor, Jonas Vingegaard, sidelined due to a Tour de France crash, was absent from the Vuelta. This marked Pogacar’s first abandonment in his ten Grand Tour appearances, having never finished below third place. The Spanish Vuelta is set to conclude in Granada on September 13.
