Medical Reports & Withdrawals Vuelta a Espana 2026 Stage 8 - Tadej Pogacar crashes out as Vuelta peloton suffers several mass crashes
CyclingSaturday, 29 August 2026 at 18:44
Crashes, illness and injuries can quickly reduce the Vuelta a Espana peloton, with some riders abandoning during a stage and others only ruled out after further assessment once the racing has finished.
This live 2026 Vuelta a España Medical Reports and Withdrawals hub will be updated throughout the race with every confirmed DNS, DNF and abandonment, together with verified injury and illness information released by teams, riders and race officials.
Where scans, hospital examinations or later team statements provide further detail, those updates will be added as they are confirmed. The page will provide a running record of the riders forced out of the 2026 Vuelta and the confirmed reasons behind each withdrawal where that information is available.
Stage 1
The full peloton was able to get through the opening time trial unscathed, although Visma's Bruno Armirail did endure a momentary mechanical scare.
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Stage 2
Sergio Chumil is the first withdrawal from the Vuelta, having crashed throughout the second day of the race and abandoning due to its consequences. Sergio Samitier, Frederik Wandahl and Cian Uijtdebroeks were also affected by crashes throughout the stage.
Stage 3
The third stage of the race was cut short due to the hail storm that the riders faced en route to Font Romeu. Nevertheless, this happened in the final kilometers, and a lot had happened before. For Cofidis' Alex Kirsch, the race came to an end after feeling unwell.
Stage 4
Nothing to note
Stage 5
The stage has seen two withdrawals. One is Lotto-Intermarché's Roel van Sintmaartensdijk whilst the second is Cian Uijtdebroeks. The Movistar rider suffered an ankle fracture earlier in the race and after coming across the line in last and in tears over stage 4, he did not start the fifth day of the race.
Stage 6
Two riders left the race on stage 6. Joshua Tarling's race came to an end as the Welshman decided to abandon after having earlier made the brave choice to start the race so soon after family tragedy. Elsewhere, son of Spanish ex-pro Joseba Beloki, Markel Beloki also was a DNF.
Stage 7
Luca Van Boven (Lotto–Intermarché) fell heavily with around 23 kilometres remaining after an XDS Astana rider moved across him near the back of the peloton. Van Boven was forced over a kerb but appeared able to continue.
Stage 8
Luca van Boven was the only non-starter on a day where crashes marked the race. The Lotto-Intermarché rider was diagnosed with two broken ribs and a collapsed lung after his crash on the previous stage.
On the neutralized section of the stage, a fall immediately took down several riders in the peloton. Diego Uriarte was involved and abandoned the race as a result. Pavel Sivakov of UAE and Gianmarco Garofoli were also involved, in the middle of several others. Shortly after several riders went down and Picnic's Mattia Gaffuri was forced to withdraw.
A mass crash with 33 kilometers to go then changed the race as a whole, with Tadej Pogacar falling and being forced to leave the race. He was suspected to have a fractured collarbone, carrying injuries in his shoulder and face. Ben Tulett and Magnus Cort NIelsen were amongst those involved in the fall as well.
Another fall took down several riders with 10 kilometers to go including Carlos Canal, Carlos Rodríguez, Luke Tuckwell, Roland Thalmann, Jan Hirt and Rudy Porter.
In the final kilometer, yet another mass crash happened as high speed, affecting several more unidentified riders.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Massive respect to Mas, it was incredibly honourable of him to decline the red jersey. Refusing to after a rival's misfortune shows real integrity and class. That being said, Mas has ridden a flawless race from the start; crashes and illnesses are a harsh reality of our sport, and Mas has genuinely earned his position. At the same time, you have to feel for Tadej. It would be a heartbreak if this derails his shot at a Triple World Champs.anonymouscyclist29-08-2026
- Yep, that a break, when you break a bone it knocks you' and he was on his knees and he's been VERY LUCKY in cycling upto now with what he's a achieved ! he'll heal fast
leedorney29-08-2026 - Yep, that a break, when you break a bone it knocks you' and he was on his knees and he's been VERY LUCKY in cycling upto now with what he's a achieved ! he'll heal fastleedorney29-08-2026
- The top 3 of last year's TdF all crashed this year in a GT and had to leave with (suspected) broken collarbone. That's insane.PogiSloFans29-08-2026
- That is such bad luck, I've had three collarbone breaks in my life. I hope he bounces back quickly.awp29-08-2026
- Looked like a collar bone.Renz29-08-2026
- That f**** damn, ever-dangerous moment of inattention or distraction… Wish Pogi, my compatriot, all the best. He needs some rest and recovery. He’ll come back just as strong, if not stronger. The question is, when.PogiSloFans29-08-2026
- How unfortunate and sad a moment, a rare crash that he cannot continue from (as opposed to San Remo or Strade Bianchi with Pidcock or Strade Bianchi with that massive crash when he first won). What a disappointment. Also, I get the feeling he will come raging back, worlds and Il Lombardia in his sights, proving his mettle. He was always going to be intense at both, but now I think even more so.RidesHills29-08-2026
- Heartbreaking, absolutely sucks. Really hoping he’s didn’t break anything.DAS29-08-2026
- Unfortunately, he's done.
santiagobenites29-08-2026
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