Tadej Pogacar shares picture from hospital after Vuelta-ending crash

Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian five‑time Tour de France champion who had been the undisputed leader of the Vuelta a España, was forced to abandon the race after a heavy fall on Saturday. The rider posted a photo from his hospital room, accompanied by the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive,” showing him in a hospital bed with a neck brace and plaster on his right eyebrow and right hand. The image, shared on Instagram, confirmed that he will undergo surgery on his collarbone before returning to competition.

Pogacar’s crash came on the day of the race’s eighth stage, a mountain finish that had seen him maintain a comfortable lead. With the injury, the Vuelta’s top contender is now sidelined, and the race will continue into stage nine, which features a summit finish that will reshape the general classification. Team officials have indicated that the rider’s recovery timeline will depend on the outcome of the surgery and subsequent rehabilitation.

The Vuelta a España will proceed without its pre‑race favorite, and the race organizers and teams will monitor Pogacar’s progress closely. A further update will be provided after the completion of stage nine.