Tadej Pogačar set for 'serious operation' in next two days as UAE team boss says it 'doesn't seem easy' to recover in time for World Championships

Key Points:

• Tadej Pogačar, the five-time Tour de France winner, suffered a concussion, a displaced collarbone fracture, and a cervical fracture in a crash during stage 8 of the Vuelta a España and remains hospitalized in Barcelona awaiting surgery.
• Surgery on Pogačar's collarbone is postponed until his concussion symptoms improve, with an expected operation date around Tuesday or Wednesday, according to UAE Team Emirates-XRG team principal Mauro Gianetti.
• Pogačar's participation in the remainder of the season, including the World Championships road race in Montréal and Il Lombardia, is uncertain due to the severity of his injuries and recovery timeline.
• Gianetti emphasized the need for patience and cautioned against making premature decisions about Pogačar's return to racing, highlighting the seriousness of the collarbone fracture and concussion.
• The team principal expressed initial fear for Pogačar's condition after the crash but was somewhat reassured when the rider was able to stand and attempt to continue before ultimately withdrawing.