Pogacar withdraws from Vuelta after crash

Race leader Tadej Pogacar withdrew from the 2026 Vuelta a España after a crash in the eighth stage. The Slovenian rider, who had secured the red jersey with a decisive performance in the preceding mountain day, was forced to abandon the race following a collision that left him with a broken collarbone and a fractured rib.

The incident occurred on the 150‑kilometre stage that finished in the Sierra Nevada. Pogacar, who had been in contention for a third consecutive Grand Tour win, was hit by a rider who lost control on a descent, sending him into a gravel trap. Medical staff on the scene assessed his injuries and confirmed the severity of the fractures, prompting the team to make the decision to pull him from the competition. The Vuelta’s organizers confirmed that the rider would be medically withdrawn and that he would not be eligible to return for the remainder of the race.

With Pogacar’s exit, the race dynamics shift as the remaining leaders vie for the overall title. The stage winner, a Spanish climber, now holds the red jersey, and the general classification battle is expected to intensify in the remaining high‑mountain stages. The Vuelta’s organizers have reiterated that rider safety remains a priority and will continue to monitor the race conditions closely.