Tadej Pogačar Had Only One Hand on Bars Before Vuelta Crash
Outside Magazine • • sports
Key Points:
- Tadej Pogačar suffered a severe crash during stage 8 of the Vuelta a España while drinking from a water bottle, resulting in a concussion, a displaced left collarbone fracture, and a stable C7 cervical fracture, along with multiple cuts and abrasions.
- The crash occurred at high speed (around 60kph) when Pogačar’s front wheel hit an unidentified dark object on a wide, straightforward section of the course, causing him to lose control with only one hand on the handlebar.
- Pogačar was hospitalized in Barcelona, with doctors delaying surgery on his collarbone for 24 hours due to his head injury; no neurological damage was found, but his return to racing this season remains uncertain.
- The crash abruptly ended Pogačar’s lead in the race, handing the red leader’s jersey to Enric Mas and tightening the overall standings, while UAE Emirates shifted focus to stage wins to honor their fallen leader.
- Teammates expressed shock and sadness over the incident, emphasizing Pogačar’s role as both team leader and motivator, and vowed to continue racing aggressively in his absence.
