Tadej Pogačar abandons the Vuelta a España after a heavy crash during Stage 8 on Saturday. The Slovenia rider, who is leading the general classification, is taken away for medical assessment after the fall and is unable to continue the race.
Multiple outlets report that the crash leaves him with serious injuries. France 24 says he suffers multiple fractures and could face an early end to his season, with the World Championships later in September. The Guardian adds that he has shoulder and face injuries and is taken away by ambulance after the crash 31 km from the finish. The BBC also states that he withdraws after crashing during Stage 8, while other reports focus on his status as race leader and the impact on his season plan.
Context around the event differs slightly by outlet. The Athletic and other sources say Pogačar leads by nearly four minutes prior to the incident and was a major favourite for his first overall win in the three-week race, while The Independent and Yahoo Sports note he is riding the Vuelta for the first time since 2019. The Independent also reports that he is likely to be out for the rest of the season, which would affect who wears key world and European championship jerseys next year.
