Tadej Pogačar abandoned the Vuelta a España on Saturday after a heavy crash 31 km from the finish of stage eight left him with shoulder and facial injuries. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader fell after brushing shoulders with another rider and losing control of his handlebars; he tried to remount, cried out no and winced in pain, then was taken to an ambulance. The team confirmed his withdrawal on X. Pogacar had led the race by 3 minutes 50 seconds over Enric Mas before the crash, marking the first time the 27-year-old has failed to finish a grand tour. Enric Mas took the red jersey after stage eight, becoming the first Spaniard to lead the Vuelta since Jesus Herrada in 2018. Felix Gall moves up to second overall, 1 minute 11 seconds behind Mas and 22 seconds clear of Primoz Roglic. Bryan Coquard won the stage, with Mads Pedersen second and Jordi Meeus third; the race continues Sunday with a 187.5 km mountain stage to Alto de Aitana before a rest day on Monday.
