Pogacar abandons Vuelta after crash, requires surgery

Five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar was forced to abandon the Vuelta a España on Saturday after a high-speed crash on Stage 8, suffering a concussion and fractures that will require surgery. The Slovenian rider, who held a commanding lead in the race, crashed approximately 33 kilometers from the finish of the stage between Puçol and Xeraco. Television footage showed Pogačar swerving to avoid an object in the road, which multiple reports identified as a stone, before losing control and being thrown over his handlebars. He struck his head and left shoulder on the pavement.