"I remember him taking a bidon at this moment" - Tadej Pogacar's teammate explains brutal Vuelta a Espana crash after witnessing exact moment
CyclingSunday, 30 August 2026 at 12:42
Pavel Sivakov witnessed the exact moment Tadej Pogacar's Vuelta a Espana came to an abrupt and painful end. The UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader suffered a brutal crash during Saturday's stage 8 and left the race as he suffered a concussion and a broken collarbone and vertebrae.
The sudden end to Pogacar's race now means that he faces surgery and an uncertain short-term future as his World Championships, European Championships and Il Lombardia goals were thrown into doubt.
With UAE now without its leader, the team face an uphill battle at the Vuelta and will re-assess their goals. For Sivakov, he witnessed the crash from Pogacar's wheel. Avoiding a fall himself, he claimed that he was busy either taking or putting back a bidon when he seemed to strike a small rock on the road.
“I was just in his wheel when it happened,” Sivakov told reporters before stage 9. “Actually, I could avoid it, but there was nothing I could have done there.”
“I think he was drinking. It happened so fast, but he was just taking a bidon or putting it back. I don’t exactly remember, but I remember him taking a bidon at this moment, and that’s how he lost his balance so quickly.”
With his hands not fully on the bars at the moment of the crash, it meant that Pogacar crashed hard and sustained his serious injuries. He initially got back on his feet and attempted to pick up his bike and continue, but it became clear that all was not right rather quickly.
UAE riders crossed the line together after Pogacar left the race
UAE devastated as Pogacar crashes out of Vuelta
Sivakov explained the devastation within UAE, but accepts that things happen in the sport. However, despite being hurt, Pogacar was able to send a message into the team group chat and wish his teammates well.
“We are devastated. These kind of things happen in cycling. The most important thing is that Tadej is not badly hurt.
“He sent a message in the group. He’s in hospital, obviously. I think he’s quite hurt, but that’s how it is.”
Picking up the pieces on Sunday morning, Sivakov admits that re-focusing is difficult. However, with himself, Jay Vine, Joao Almeida and Pablo Torres among the domestiques turned breakaway chasers, UAE are likely to feature prominently over the course of the next two weeks.
Tadej Pogacar following his crash on stage 8 of La Vuelta
UAE need to re-focus as Pogacar leaves race
“He gives so much for the team, so it’s our turn now. It’s not easy, but you have to change directly. Tadej is not here anymore. Now it’s up to us to do the work and to try to win stages.”
“I think we have several options,” he added. “Jay [Vine, Ed.] would be a good option as well. Myself, I will try again in the breakaway.”
On Saturday evening, UAE provided an update on his condition: “Unfortunately, Tadej Pogacar suffered a heavy crash during today’s stage and was unable to continue the race".
"He is stable, and following a thorough medical assessment at hospital, Tadej has been diagnosed with a concussion, displaced left clavicle fracture, a stable C7 cervical fracture, and multiple abrasions. Fortunately, no other major injuries and no neurological fallout.
"He will require clavicle surgery which will be delayed due to concussion precautions.
Tadej remains under the care of our medical team and we’ll provide further updates following the surgery.”
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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