XERACO – In a stunning turn of events, Tadej Pogacar, the five-time Tour de France champion and a favorite at the Spanish Vuelta, had to withdraw from the race after a crash during the eighth stage held on Saturday.
Pogacar had built a significant lead in the race, but around 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) from the finish line, he was involved in a crash. Despite his efforts to remount his bicycle, he was unable to continue and was subsequently escorted to an ambulance. Race organizers confirmed his withdrawal shortly thereafter.
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As the leader of UAE Team Emirates, Pogacar aimed to join an elite group of cyclists by winning all three Grand Tours, having already secured his third consecutive Tour de France victory and a record-tying fifth overall in July, alongside his Giro d’Italia triumph in 2024. This was his first appearance in the Vuelta since his debut in 2019.
TV footage revealed Pogacar with visible cuts on his head, left arm, and shoulder. He appeared to lose control while attempting to avoid another cyclist, leading to a crash that resulted in him flying over his handlebars.
Matxin Joxean Fernandez, the UAE Team Emirates sports manager, reported that Pogacar required stitches for his eyebrow and other injuries. He acknowledged the unpredictability of cycling, stating, “It’s simply one of those things that happens in cycling, unfortunately.”
Fernandez noted that Pogacar initially wanted to continue racing, but the pain in his shoulder was too severe, prompting the decision to withdraw. “After seven days, Tadej was happy, and it’s a very big shame for him. Cycling is about good and bad,” he added, expressing hope for Pogacar’s swift recovery.
Before the crash, Pogacar was leading the race with an impressive 3 minutes and 50 seconds advantage over Enric Mas of Movistar. The stage, spanning 171 kilometers (106 miles) from Puçol to Xeraco, was relatively flat, providing an opportunity for sprinters to shine. Bryan Coquard from the Cofidis team took the stage win, finishing ahead of Mads Pedersen and Jordi Meeus.
Enric Mas claimed the race leader’s jersey from Pogacar, marking a significant moment as he became the first Spanish rider to do so since Jesus Herrada in 2018. Felix Gall stood second overall, 1:11 off the pace, with Primoz Roglic in third place.
In a show of respect and solidarity, Mas chose not to wear the leader’s red jersey during the post-race ceremony, stating, “To get the red jersey thanks to a crash, it’s not a good feeling.” He emphasized the need to process the events of the day and offer support to Pogacar.
Notably, Pogacar’s main rival, Jonas Vingegaard, is absent from the Vuelta after his own crash during this year’s Tour de France. This incident marks Pogacar’s 10th Grand Tour, but it is the first time he has had to abandon a race, having never finished lower than third in his previous attempts.
The three-week Spanish Vuelta is set to conclude in Granada on September 13, leaving fans hopeful for Pogacar’s recovery and return to form in future races.
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