CONFIRMED: Concussion, vertebrae and collarbone fracture for Tadej Pogacar at La Vuelta
CyclingSaturday, 29 August 2026 at 20:51
Stage 8 of the Vuelta a España has seen plenty crashes. In the carnage that was a crash-ridden day, Tadej Pogacar was the worst affected of all, having withdrawn from the race with severe injuries. These have been revealed in the race's medical report.
The fall happened with 33 kilometers to go on the eighth day of the race. It was only one of several mass crashes during a day where the speeds were lower than previous sprint days; but in certain moments, the tension led to bad incidents.
Pogacar crashed and after a few minutes, abandoned the race, unable to get back on the bike. He appeared to suffer injuries in his left shoulder and side of the face, with quite a bit of blood due to a cut in his eyebrow.
Tadej Pogacar following his crash on stage 8
Possible collarbone fracture
The Vuelta organizers have issued a statement, from the race doctor, who assisted Pogacar during the few minutes in which the World Champion looked to return to the bike.
"Crash involving several runners, notably bib number 11, with a possible acromioclavicular sprain/fracture, traumatic brain injury, and a laceration above the left eyebrow. Withdrew from the race".
The laceration was evident and the reason why the Slovenian found himself bloodied. However, the report suggests it is quite possible that Pogacar has suffered a collarbone fracture as a result of the fall.
UAE Team Emirates - XRG is likely to confirm the Slovenian's injuries soon, whilst team sports director Joxean Matxin spoke to the media after the stage to detail the tense moment:
“At first he wanted to continue, but we saw he was in a lot of pain, seemingly in the shoulder, and we decided he couldn’t go on".
“He had a few gashes on the eyebrow, there was blood, the eyebrow had opened. The wound wasn’t big, but it bled quite a lot". The Emirati team loses its GC ambitions, and will have to take on a fully different approach to the second half of the race.
UPDATE
UAE Team Emirates - XRG have, at 20:45CET, provided an official update on Pogacar's 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.”
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- Absolutely gutted to see Pogi go out like this. From the helicopter it was hard to understand what happened. Commentators were saying maybe he was hit from behind. Now I’ve seen on IG:Luca yclingblog (front view) that it was a rock that brought him down. Head trauma and possible broken collarbone. He’s not coming back this year. So sad.Pedalmasher29-08-2026
- It looked like just terrible luck…a big piece of asphalt or a rock on the road. Going 50 km/h inside the peloton, no chance of seeing it until it’s on your wheel.DAS29-08-2026
- Damn.
MarkFour29-08-2026 - Hope it’s nothing too serious but this had to happen one day, luck has been generous long enough. Weird it happened after so much talk of his mental state, did recent days affect him more than a 5am drug test? Guess we’ll see a new side of the Mou or his latest impersonator now.Mistermaumau29-08-2026
- Possibly concussion too? That could take longer to heal.Hills3329-08-2026
- Hate to see this - it’s a brutal reminder that nothing is certain until the final finish lineCrashjames29-08-2026
- Correction: Seeing Tadej in the ambulance puts everything into perspective. Forget the Worlds, I just hope he's okay. That looks awful.anonymouscyclist29-08-2026
- 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. If anyone deserves that jersey after Tadej, it is him. 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
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