"You are simply paralysed for the rest of your life" - Tadej Pogacar warned not to return to racing too early after Vuelta crash
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar has been warned against returning from his Vuelta a Espana injuries too quickly after the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader crashed out of the race on Saturday. The Slovenian sustained fractures in both his vertebrae and collarbone as well as a concussion.
With Pogacar in hospital and set to undergo surgery, neither he or his team have addressed whether a 2026 return will be on the cards. He crashed with 33 kilometers to go of the stage while in control of the race and in a commanding lead of the general classification.
However, any speculation of a return, sports physician Tom Teulingkx has warned that coming back before his injuries heal could spell serious danger. Noting his fractured vertebrae injury, Teulingkx noted that another fall could have serious spinal injury complications, waning that paralysis is a worst-case scenario.
"If you fall back on that, it could be much more serious," Teulingkx told HLN.
“Then you could have a complete spinal cord injury; the nerve bundle is severed, and you are simply paralysed for the rest of your life."
Tadej Pogacar following his crash on stage 8 of La Vuelta
Teulingkx thinks 2026 is too early for Pogacar return
In conclusion, Teulingkx thinks a 2026 return would come too soon: “It is the end of August, so the season is almost over. It really wouldn’t surprise me if Pogacar doesn’t compete again this year. It would be a shame if such a rider were brought back too soon.”
Meanwhile, Pogacar's agent has indicated that Pogacar's season may not be over, indicating that both he and UAE believe that it's possible we could see the Slovenian pin a number yet this season.
"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."
UAE hopeful Pogacar could return
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.
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"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.
"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."
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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