First picture of Tadej Pogacar after he's released from hospital - UAE rider in sling and bandages as he returns home
CyclingThursday, 03 September 2026 at 09:53
A defiant Tadej Pogacar shared a first photo of him after he left hospital. Following his crash at the 2026 Vuelta a Espana, and subsequent surgery on Tuesday to repair his left collarbone, the Slovenian will continue his recovery at home.
His Vuelta red jersey journey came to an abrupt end on Saturday after an unexpected crash while riding in the bunch, hitting a stone on the road and losing balance as he hit the ground hard and left the race in an ambulance.
A broken collarbone, fractured C7 vertebrae and concussion was diagnosed as the dust settled, throwing his late-season plans into doubt and meaning he would have to undergo surgery. However, the operation was a success and he's officially on the mend.
Sharing a photo to Instagram, Pogacar is seen posing for a photo with a friend as he sports a sling, as well as bandages on his face, shoulder and knee as a result of the high-speed crash.
Tadej Pogacar in action on Stage 7 of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana
UAE medical update on Pogacar
The UAE team’s medical director, Dr Adrian Rotunno, confirmed the operation on his collarbone fracture was completed without complications.
“This afternoon, Tadej successfully underwent surgery on his left clavicle after receiving clearance to proceed,” Rotunno explained. The medical lead added that “the procedure went smoothly and he will remain in hospital for a few days for postoperative monitoring.”
Despite the severity of the impact, in the moments after the crash, the UAE Team Emirates XRG rider initially tried to continue. However, the consequences of the crash ultimately forced him to abandon.
The incident ended a Vuelta campaign in which Pogacar had already taken three stage wins and led the general classification by 3 minutes 50 seconds over Enric Mas.
Will Pogacar return to racing in 2026?
It's unclear when the world champion will return to racing and if he will defend his rainbow bands. With the Montreal road race set for September 27th, it gives him just over three weeks to recover and then re-find his best legs.
With a narrow window to do so, his team have remained tight-lipped on his planned return date, with speculation that he could also target a return at the European Championships, which take place in his home country of Slovenia, or at Il Lombardia - the final monument of the year.
However, UAE have confirmed that the recovery will be rider-focused, signalling that it also could be the end of his season if things don't accelerate in a straightforward fashion.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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