Tadej Pogačar withdraws after a hard crash on the eighth stage of the Vuelta a España

Tadej Pogačar took crashed hard during the eighth stage of the 2026 Vuelta a España. The Slovenian red jersey wearer from UAE Team Emirates-XRG was the first rider to go down, taking a whole bunch of riders with him just before the finish of the sprinter’s stage. The world champion remained on the ground in pain. He tried to get back on his bike, but couldn’t: that was the end of the race for him.

It all happened after an intermediate sprint. With 33 kilometres to go, it was Pogacar himself who went down first, falling forwards over his handlebars. He lay on the tarmac with facial injuries, but his left shoulder was the main concern. It took him a long time to get to his feet, but when he did, he was keen to get back on his bike.

However, as soon as he grabbed the bike, it was clear: it wasn’t going to work. Pogacar was then carried into the ambulance, meaning the Vuelta had to continue without its top favourite and the red jersey wearer.