Tadej Pogačar withdraws from La Vuelta after heavy Stage 8 crash

sportsAug 29, 202626446

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 but cried out and was taken to an ambulance. UAE Team Emirates confirmed his withdrawal later that day. Pogačar had led the race by 3 minutes 50 seconds over Enric Mas before the crash; Mas took the red jersey after stage eight. Bryan Coquard won the stage, with Mads Pedersen second and Jordi Meeus third, while Felix Gall moved up to second overall, one minute 11 seconds behind Mas and 22 seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic. This is the first time the 27-year-old has failed to finish a grand tour; he is a five-time Tour de France winner and a Giro dItalia champion who had been targeting his first Vuelta overall victory. The race continues Sunday with a 187.5 km mountain stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana, followed by a rest day on Monday.

La Vuelta

@lavuelta.bsky.social

This one hurts 💔 Not the ending anyone was hoping for. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Tadej ❤️ Esta duele 💔 No era el final que nadie quería. Te deseamos una pronta recuperación, Tadej ❤️ #LaVuelta26

11545d ago

Szbogbo2

“lit pebble”What I find shocking is that there were already people standing around watching just 10m away, and there’s no way they didn’t see the fist-sized rock in the road. Not one of them could be bothered to simply kick it off the road! but I’m sure they picked up the water bottle that went flyi

PureCiclismo1

Did the rider behind touch wheels? All I see is him randomly veering left into the visma riders

Quoting this

ScottCulkin 🇺🇸/🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿/🚒🚑(ret.)/🚴/🥁/⚽15

#LaVuelta2026 I'm not watching the stage this morning, but awful news as race leader Tadej Pogacar abandons after a hard crash in the peloton.

Katie Mather4

I take a couple days off cycling to give UTMB my full attention and THIS HAPPENS??????

Vern Pitt2

I think it's interesting to note that Pog's eye being bloody and beat-up is not an automatic withdrawal under the concussion protocol (I checked). I'm in no way saying that is wrong, it was written by people who know what they're doing, I just assumed that it would be automatic withdrawal but no.

Lady Starblade

@ladystarblade.bsky.social

Very classy by Enric Mas to merely hold the jersey rather than putting it on. Wear it well and in good health tomorrow. ❤️ #LaVuelta26

9445d ago

Mike (beep boop era)4

What a great sporting gesture.

Qodama2

Mas is a good guy and nobody would like to win a jersey like this. A very sporting gesture by Mas.

Velon CC

@veloncc.bsky.social

A heartbreaking end to Tadej's Vuelta 😞 Tadej Pogačar has abandoned La Vuelta a Espana after a heavy crash on Stage 8. 📸 Getty Images

3745d ago

Quoting this

Clem A Kaos2

Rock on Vuelta. Heads up Tadej, the peloton don't always play nice. #Pogacar www.domestiquecycling.com/en/news/rock...

Tim Bonville-Ginn

@timbonvilleginn.bsky.social

So sad seeing Tadej Pogačar 🇸🇮 crash out of La Vuelta. Sure, he wins all the time, but you never ever want to see riders crash. Looked very painful.

3645d ago

Tonke

@tonke.bsky.social

Tadej has been diagnosed with a concussion, displaced left clavicle fracture, a stable C7 cervical fracture, and multiple abrasions. Fortunately, no other major injuries and no neurological fallout. That’s a lot, I hope he feels better soon #Pogi #LaVuelta26

1945d ago

Czigelmajer Bence

@cycloben2.bsky.social

Tadej Pogacar is a mere human, like us, after all. Speedy recovery to the ultimate champ. For the rest: chance of the decade. or even a lifetime. #LaVuelta26

1845d ago

Del

@stroppadel.bsky.social

First time ever Pogi has crashed and had to abandon a grand tour race #LaVuelta26

1245d ago

🌈💚 The Anxious Cyclist ft. Sepp Wuff 🐶

@noukbikemind.bsky.social

The one stage I don't watch and it's a massacre! I'm just catching up. Horrific stuff. Wishing all riders involved to heal up swift and well. What a drama. 😢 Vuelta be Vuelta-ing, never know what to expect. #LaVuelta26

1445d ago

KBaby

@choirchic.bsky.social

Pogacar crashing out is terrifying and heartbreaking. Maybe give him the same consideration you’ve given his competitors when things have happened to them, as opposed to saying you’re happy that ‘others can now race…’ Not Cool interwebs. #LaVuelta26 🫣😭

1145d ago

Domestique

@domestiquecycling.com

What was supposed to be a quiet day at 🇪🇸 La Vuelta turned everything upside down, with Cocquard taking the win! STANDINGS & RESULTS 📰 www.domestiquecycling.com/en/cycling-r...