“It could have had even more serious consequences” - Mauro Gianetti reveals the severity of Tadej Pogacar’s Vuelta crash injuries
CyclingSunday, 13 September 2026 at 14:15
Tadej Pogacar’s crash at the Vuelta a España proved far more serious than it first appeared. The Slovenian, who was leading the race, sustained a displaced collarbone fracture and a concussion that forced him to call time on his season.
Now, Mauro Gianetti, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG boss, has told RAI in remarks relayed by Spazio Ciclismo how the team lived through that moment, how their star is recovering, and what comes next.
Gianetti acknowledges the crash was severe and that the collarbone injury required an especially complex operation. “The crash was serious: the displaced collarbone fracture required a very complex surgery, on top of the concussion,” the UAE chief explains.
Ending Pogačar’s season was virtually inevitable, but Gianetti felt he also needed a few days to process giving up the major targets still ahead. The Slovenian was leading the Vuelta and had ringed the season finale in red, with the World and European Championships and, later, Il Lombardia.
“It was clear he couldn’t keep racing this year, but it was also fair to give him a few days to digest that forced decision,” says Gianetti, who underlines the importance of the goals Pogačar had lined up. The rider wanted to race in front of his home fans at Worlds and Europeans and also aimed to fight for another Lombardy win.
Pogacar held a commanding lead in La Vuelta’s general classification before his withdrawal
Pogacar to stay with UAE through 2032
The disappointment, then, is immense, but the UAE boss believes Pogacar is handling it calmly. “That’s cycling. He’s calm now. Obviously, the disappointment of not being able to race is big, but that’s part of the sport and he knows the crash could have had even worse consequences,” Gianetti notes.
He adds that the Slovenian is already focused on coming back strong next season. “He will look to next season with great commitment,” he says, making clear the crash does not change the rider’s ambition.
One of the major pieces of news for cycling’s future arrived during this period, with Pogacar extending his UAE contract through 2032. Gianetti explains that talks to prolong the deal had been underway for months and reflect the rider’s own wish to remain tied to the project.
“For a few months already, we had been discussing an extension, especially because he wants to race, to be involved, to enjoy it, and he wanted to send a strong signal of the confidence he has in the team,” he says.
For Gianetti, the new deal shows the absolute trust between Pogačar, the team, and his working environment. “We trust him and his staff,” says the manager, who considers it especially positive for the sport that one of its leading figures has long-term continuity secured.
“It’s good news for the cycling world to know that Pogacar will be a professional at least until 2032,” he concludes.
Gianetti calls for reflection on rider safety
Pogačar’s crash has also revived the debate around rider safety. Gianetti believes there is a perception that certain races, like Paris-Roubaix, are particularly dangerous, but he stresses that the most serious crashes can happen in almost any race.
“It may look like Roubaix is more dangerous than other races, but ultimately, lately, the most serious and heaviest crashes don’t necessarily happen there, but in races and moments like when Tadej fell,” he explains.
The UAE chief points to speed and the sheer density of today’s peloton. In his view, high-speed crashes can have especially severe consequences, even on courses not traditionally considered as risky as Roubaix’s cobbles.
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“The speed is extremely high, the peloton is really tight, with many riders, all at a very high level. High-speed crashes are more devastating than what can happen at Roubaix, where you can go down on the cobbles at perhaps a lower speed,” he says.
Gianetti argues it is necessary to keep working to improve safety, while warning there is no solution that can completely eliminate crashes from professional cycling.
“You cannot think crashes will be avoided,” he says. He believes one key lies in riders’ preparation and in avoiding excessive fatigue going into races.
“We will need to think hard about the calendar,” Gianetti adds, advocating for riders to arrive “fresh to races” to help them maintain “maximum concentration.”
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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