The Pogačar Vuelta crash has dramatically reshaped the race after the leader abandoned stage eight with injuries.
Tadej Pogačar fell with 31 kilometres remaining on a 171-kilometre flat stage. Until that point, the peloton had ridden a controlled day before a major mountain test.
The world champion appeared to hit a stone on the left side of the road. It caught his wheel and sent him off balance.
Several riders also came down in the incident. Oscar Onley of Netcompany INEOS, Ben Tulett of Visma-Lease a Bike, and Pavel Sivakov of UAE Team Emirates-XRG were among them.
Pogačar Vuelta crash changes race leadership
Pogačar initially stayed seated on the road while medical staff treated him. They dabbed blood from his neck and shoulder as teammates gathered nearby.
He then tried to get back on his bike but quickly stopped. Pogačar shook his head, doubled over, and held his left arm.
He had a deep cut on his shoulder and blood on his face. Medical staff bandaged him and placed his arm in a sling.
Pogačar then moved toward an ambulance, ending his Vuelta campaign suddenly. He was taken to hospital for treatment and checks.
The full extent of his injuries has not yet been confirmed.
Confusion spread through the front of the bunch after the crash. Lidl-Trek and Decathlon CMA CGM signalled for the peloton to slow while riders awaited information.
Some looked across the bunch, while others checked radios for updates. UAE Team Emirates-XRG riders received encouragement to continue from the team car.
They later learned their leader had abandoned. The UAE squad finished together, more than 11 minutes behind the peloton.
Fans applauded the team as they crossed the finish line.
Mas inherits race lead after Pogačar exit
UAE sports manager Matxin Fernandez described the moment as the “hard side of cycling.” He noted Pogačar had already won three stages in the race.
Fernandez also pointed to Pogačar’s advantage of more than three minutes before the crash. He compared the setback to Jonas Vingegaard’s crash at the Tour de France.
Wout van Aert said fatigue may have contributed to the crashes. He called Pogačar’s departure “a big loss for the race.”
Onley escaped the crash without injuries. He said he was fortunate after going down with Pogačar.
Onley said the riders were travelling quickly and the crash was “quite scary.” He added that bodies suddenly appeared everywhere around him.
The British rider also expected the race to change without Pogačar. He said the battle may become more open, especially for stage wins and breakaways.
Pogačar’s withdrawal leaves a major gap at the top of the general classification. Enric Mas of Movistar now leads the Vuelta.
Mas holds a one-minute advantage over Primož Roglič of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. Felix Gall of Decathlon CMA CGM sits third overall.
Only six minutes separate the top 10 riders. The race now heads toward a 4,900-metre mountain stage, raising the stakes immediately.
Pogačar had led Mas by almost four minutes before his exit. His abandon has turned the overall contest into a much more open fight.
Mas chose not to wear the red jersey during the podium ceremony. He said he wanted to show respect because Pogačar crashed.
“I didn’t win the red jersey,” Mas said, explaining his decision.
Mas added that another race now starts. He identified the next stage as one of the hardest, alongside stage 20.
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