New photo shows Tadel Pogačar on his feet after Vuelta crash: battered and bruised, but back home and in good spirits

On Wednesday evening, Tadej Pogačar was photographed leaving hospital after his Vuelta crash. The photo was taken by his fiancée, Urska Zigart, in the presence of his physical therapist, Žiga Jerman. The Slovenian rider from UAE Emirates-XRG returned home to Monaca from Barcelona, where he will continue to recover from the surgery that was needed after the same crash during the Vuelta a España.

Pogačar sustained serious injuries after a crash in Stage 8 of the Tour of Spain. He fractured a cervical vertebra, broke his collarbone, and is suffering from a concussion. In addition, he has bruises and scrapes all over his body. The photo also shows that the Spanish roads have really taken their toll on Pogačar.

Still, morale remains high among the world champions, as is evident time and again from the photos being shared. From the hospital, Pogačar quickly posted a photo update on Instagram, and on his way home, he found a little photo of Urska on his flip-flops. With his arm in a sling and bandages on his collarbone, eyebrow, and knee, it looks quite impressive.

The entire cycling world is wishing Pogačar a speedy recovery—for the Slovenian’s sake, but also out of self-interest. Because although many won’t want to admit it, Pogačar’s presence at the World Cycling Championships in Canada and the European Cycling Championships in his native Slovenia would, of course, be a major draw. A sixth consecutive victory in the Tour of Lombardy would also be remarkable.

Everything seems to indicate that Pogačar will have to end his season, but UAE and the rider himself have not made a final decision yet and will continue to hope for the best. Although surgery on a collarbone, a concussion, and a broken cervical vertebra are no minor injuries, so far neither party has been willing to definitively write off 2026.

Slovenian team doctor Krištof Knap may have come closest to offering an assessment in the Slovenian media, saying that Pogačar’s participation in the World Championships is “not realistic.” “Pogačar is only human, and he still has a long way to go in his career and life. It’s good that there are no other side effects, because he still has a long career ahead of him.”

"It's important that he doesn't rush his rehabilitation," Knap emphasizes. In Slovenia, there is a belief that Pogacar will reveal more about his short-term plans after a meeting with his agent, Alex Carera, on Friday.