"Tadej's season might not have ended yesterday" - Pogacar's agent offers update after Vuelta a Espana crash injuries confirmed
CyclingSunday, 30 August 2026 at 09:47
Tadej Pogacar's season may not be over after all despite suffering a devastating crash at the 2026 Vuelta a Espana on Saturday. As his injuries were confirmed by UAE Team Emirates - XRG on Saturday evening, a concussion, broken collarbone and broken vertabrae were among the list of injuries sustained.
Pogacar's red jersey quest ended on the side of the road after he seemingly struck a stone while riding in the peloton with 32 kilometers to go, with speculation on whether his season is over emerging as his injuries were confirmed.
Now, his agent Alex Carera has provided a timeline for Pogacar's next few days as well as a look at what the future holds, disagreeing with speculation that his season is over. According to Carera, Pogacar will be taken to Barcelona and undergo surgery on Monday, with a timeline to be set with doctors after that.
"I read about the season being over, but honestly, no one, not even the medical staff currently treating Tadej, can say that," Carera told Quibici Sport last night.
Tadej Pogacar following his crash on stage 8 of La Vuelta
Pogacar will be taken to Barcelona for surgery
"Between tomorrow and the day after, 'Pogi' will be taken to Barcelona and operated on there. Therefore, only after the surgery is complete will we know exactly how long he'll be recovering from and, therefore, whether he'll be able to make it to the World Cup [Championships, Ed.] or not."
He hasn't spoken to Pogacar directly, Carera indicated that the team are also optimistic that his season isn't over and that we could see him in action again - with World Championships, European Championships and Il Lombardia as the major milestones to hit.
"I'm still waiting to speak to him, but obviously, I'm in contact with the entire team staff, starting with Mauro Gianetti. There's disappointment and dismay among the UAE clan, but they too are confident and optimistic, because Tadej's season might not have ended yesterday.
UAE and Pogacar hope for encouraging news
"If encouraging news comes from Barcelona and from Pogi's surgery, his participation in a competition, whether it's the World Championships, the European Championships, or the Lombardy Championships [Il Lombardia, Ed.], might not be jeopardised. In short, let's cross our fingers and wait for the next updates."
Pogacar's crash occured while he was leading La Vuelta by almost four minutes, appearing severely bruised and bloody in the immediate aftermath as several UAE riders waited and tried to assist him on getting back on his bike. But as the world champion appeared in serious pain, it became clear that he would not continue.
The bombshell moment has completely transformed the race, with a new General Classification battle now propelled to the forefront as Enric Mas wears the red jersey.
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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- 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
- I was replying to Frieders3.Hills3330-08-2026
- Sorry but I really don’t see your link. It’s not Mou that crashed is it?Mistermaumau30-08-2026
- Or could it be Roglo wins his 5th after all?Mistermaumau30-08-2026
- Sorry, but right now, wjth these comments, it's you who are sick. We don't have to be Mou to see the seriousness of a head and neck injury.Hills3330-08-2026
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