"Stayin' Alive" - Tadej Pogacar's defiant hospital bed update after his Vuelta a Espana abandon and potential season-ending injuries
CyclingSunday, 30 August 2026 at 10:42
Tadej Pogacar has issued a defiant update from his hospital bed after suffering brutal injuries as a result of his crash on Saturday's stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espana. The Slovenian's end-of-season plans are in jeopardy after he suffered a concussion as well as broken collarbone and vertabrae.
The UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider crashed suddenly while riding in the peloton with 32 kilometers to go as he crashed while in command of the red jersey, ending his hopes of a first Vuelta victory and putting goals such as the World Championships and European Championships in major doubt.
After being transferred to a hospital in Barcelona, the Slovenian is set to undergo surgery, which may be delayed due to concussion symptoms. Posting a selfie while in the hospital bed to the tune of the iconic Bee Gees hit 'Stayin Alive', Pogacar addressed the crash with his usual humour and defiance.
The crash is a major setback for the 27-year-old, who was hoping to become a triple grown Grand Tour winner at the Vuelta. Dominating the red jersey fight in the opening seven stages, Pogacar built a sizeable lead on the rest of the general classification fight before his crash - leaving UAE Team Emirates without their leader.
Tadej Pogacar following his crash on stage 8 of La Vuelta
UAE provide update on Pogacar's injuries
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.”
Tadej Pogacar's Instagram update
Pogacar's season might not be over
The Slovenian's agent Alex Carera indicated that his season may not be over, claiming that both he and the team harbour hopes that he could return in 2026. However, no timeline will be set until after he undergoes surgery on Sunday or Monday.
Meanwhile, the Vuelta goes on and Sunday's stage 9 summit finish serves as the un-official re-launch of the general classification battle. In Pogacar's absence, Enric Mas now boasts a lead over Felix Gall in second and Primoz Roglic in third.
Other contenders in the top ten include Sepp Kuss, Oscar Onley and Richard Carapaz among others. The top six ranked riders are now separated by just 2:22.
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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- No, it's obvious. It is alright to put in a dig at Moustaše but not as your (not you) first comment on the subject. It was a fall that could have easily been much worse. Anything involved with the cervical-spine could have been far more serious
Rafionain-Glas30-08-2026 - Forget racing just get yourself healed. Good luck!Cyclingsbestfan30-08-2026
- I was watching the race at the time. He was obviously in shock and tried to get on his bike. The cameraman then got a better angle on his injuries. What a mess! Wisely he saw sense and was led off to the ambulance.Cyclingsbestfan30-08-2026
- So this is nothing directly from Pogacar it's just his manager speculating. You need to stop these clickbait articles cyclinguptodate your wasting folks time!Cyclingsbestfan30-08-2026
- As for his mental state, not me, dozens of observers have noted had noticed his change of very predictable behaviour over the last few days. I’m just questioning what or whether something was affecting his attention more than a 5am drug test might. I think in light of what happened as a consequence of a moment of inattention (YOUR words) that’s a pretty legitimate and worthwhile question to have answered.Mistermaumau30-08-2026
- Nope, I was the one who since a couple of years warned he was flying too close to the sun. You aren’t capable of seeing it any other way but what that implied was, BE CAREFUL because in your manner of racing you are tempting fate unnecessarily. Many fans and spectators obviously wanted nothing else and loved him for it, wiser unattached people just sat back saying, ok we warned you it’s maybe not the best way to work and attached people probably watched every incident with quite some worry. Senna’s mum probably also wished someone could have drummed a little sense into her boy. Now, don’t go all extreme and accuse me of calling him careless because his riding is fine and this kind of accident can happen to anyone and it does happen to many so anyone should always keep that somewhere in mind. But, he does have something in his attitude that gets him in trouble when he doesn’t need to and it’s often through others he is rescued. His previous crash might have been worse if Mas hadn’t reminded him to slow down, his incidents with Pidcick snd MVDP happened because he was no longer riding within his OWN limits but imagined he just could copy them, and if Moho hadn’t specifically warned him not to follow on his MSR decent where he as a far more agile and experienced technician escaped disaster by a hair, we’d have had a good chance he’d have joined Senna in the could have beens depriving fans (and close ones) of all he’s given them since. Just basic common sense Mouman.Mistermaumau30-08-2026
- I got that so… so? You are doing it on a public forum, everyone thus has the right to weigh in, like you had.Mistermaumau30-08-2026
- So what's your problem maumau-mause, saying luck was too generous for Pogi long enough? So you wanted him to crash before. Shame on you. His mental state? Pogi's mental state is stronger then yours and your foolish friends on this site: the Yankee frieder3, wrsty, Andrew and other fools. Assess your grey brain cells and you'll figure out that you're the one that needs mental treatment.PogiSloFans30-08-2026
- That f**** damn, ever-dangerous moment of inattention or distraction… (a f**** rock). Wish Pogi, my compatriot, all the best. He needs some rest and recovery. He’ll come back just as strong, if not stronger... and cry babies ala @wrsty, @frieders3, @maumau-mause etc. etc, .... are going to keep crying. Eat your hearts out and keep suffering. Capish?PogiSloFans30-08-2026
- OMG!!!PogiSloFans30-08-2026
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