"He has much more than a broken collarbone" - Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert offer reaction to Tadej Pogacar's Vuelta a Espana injuries
CyclingSunday, 30 August 2026 at 14:00
Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen have offered their best wishes to Tadej Pogacar after the red jersey's dramatic crash ended his Vuelta a Espana. The UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader now faces surgery and a complicated comeback following the crash.
Pogacar is currently in hospital in Barcelona after his injuries were confirmed on Saturday night. A concussion and broken collarbone heads the list, however, a C7 broken vertebrae means that a comeback during the 2026 season could be rather complicated.
Wout van Aert faced an injury setback that ruled him out of the Tour de France. His injury came in the form of an infected wound in his elbow, ending his short term plans. The Visma rider, and Pogacar rival, offered his sympathy and broke down exactly how Pogacar may be feeling.
"Those first moments are often very painful. Hopefully, he will be relieved of that pain soon and can undergo surgery quickly, because only then can you start looking ahead a little," Van Aert told VTM Nieuws before stage 9.
While not speculating on whether Pogacar could return this season, the Belgian noted the mental challenge of bouncing back and the uncertainty before surgery as a source of difficulty.
Wout van Aert in action on Stage 7 of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana
Van Aert on mental burden of Pogacar's injuries
"Mentally, the hardest part is accepting it. It takes some time to come to terms with it. That is the hardest part. Do I expect him to be at the start of a race this season? I lack the medical knowledge to say anything meaningful about that.
"I haven't sent him a message yet. Of course I wish him the best, but I don't think he cared about that yesterday."
The Vuelta continues on Sunday and beyond, and with Matthew Brennan already taking two stage wins, Van Aert was asked if he would target the points classification: "I think it remains to be seen whether that is realistic, but if I can pick up points as cheaply as I have in the past few days, I wouldn't know why I would pass that up."
Mads Pedersen thinks Pogacar's season is over
Mads Pedersen suffered a broken collarbone at the beginning of the season but pointed out that Pogacar's case is much more complicated. Stressing that the injury is the least of his worries, he pointed to the fact that the combination of fractures and cocncussion must be respected.
"We really need to look at his injuries differently," Pedersen said.
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"Because he has much more than a broken collarbone. That is actually the least of his worries. You have to give him time and show respect that this could mean the end of his season. There is also that concussion and that fracture in the neck vertebra."
He added: "His injuries are much more complicated than what I experienced at the start of the season."
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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- It's incredibly optimistic to think that Tadej can ride the World's this year, but I just can't see that happening, given the severity of the injuries. Perhaps he could make the start of Lombardia at best, but I think that we'll be seeing a new winner at that race this year.
santiagobenites30-08-2026 - He may very well treat them like that. I wouldn't know. He is not an idiot though. He is hardly likely to get Pogacar - his star world class rider, best ever road race cyclist, back racing for short term gain is he?Cyclingsbestfan30-08-2026
- Awaken, you!
Rafionain-Glas30-08-2026 - There is no way to make cycling races safe. From idiot race organizers to rider actions. Idiot fans. Its a shamecaptmike30-08-2026
- the guy with a vested interest in his client being up and at races. seems reliable and unbiased hey hahawrsty30-08-2026
- Thing is, Gianetti is the kind to treat his riders as gladiatorsRafionain-Glas30-08-2026
- Absolutely advice that makes sense. although for the wrong reason .I am not worried about the the C7 bone fracture itself, since it is not dislocated and should normally heal within 8-10 weeks, and when completely healed the fractured location is usually stronger than before or at least as strong. Bone health among bikers are not as good as most other atlethes due the restricted cost and low body mass. Complete healing can be secured by CT- scan and/or other imaging devices. My concern is rather, that Tadej for sure, has signs and symptoms of a Whiplash Associated Disorder in the severe category with neck pain and vertebra fracture. In other words he has had a concussion of the cervical spine in addition to concussion of the the brain. Thus to avoid longterm or even life long consequences of these concussions, the time horizon for safe rehabilitation is quite long, and premature come back will be a hazard for Tadejs lifetime health. Stop talking about a speedy comeback in this case, hope is not a strategy. Pro riders risk their health and life every day on the road to entertain us. They should not be treated as gladiators who can be returned to the Colosseum as soon as possible. Fortunately the prognosis for Tadej is good but he needs time.Jakob30-08-2026
- True, I'm a citizen of the USA but not an American if my parents and grandparents are Slovenian. It's also called "birthright citizenship" This rule is also known as "right of the soil." It applies no matter what citizenship your parents hold. So if a husband and wife from China get a baby during their stay in the US, the baby becomes an American citizen, but he's realy Chineese. Ad acta.PogiSloFans30-08-2026
- Highly doubt Rogla will take the win, I think his time is done. But if I’m wrong, all respect to Rogla. In an entirely biased opinion, I am rooting for Mas.anonymouscyclist30-08-2026
- His shoulder looked awful, the immediate and sheer bruising is a worry. I can see this being the end of his season, at a minimum. I hope he recovers okay.anonymouscyclist30-08-2026
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