Pogacar Abandons Vuelta After Crash, Surgery Needed

Tadej Pogačar, the five-time Tour de France champion and dominant leader of the Vuelta a España, abandoned the race on Saturday after a high-speed crash during the eighth stage, suffering injuries that will require surgery. The Slovenian, who held a commanding lead, crashed with approximately 32 kilometers remaining on the stage from Puçol to Xeraco near Valencia and was unable to continue.

The incident occurred as the peloton traveled at high speed on a wide stretch of road. Pogačar, wearing the red leader's jersey, was seen swerving and colliding with another rider before hitting the pavement hard. New details from his team indicate he was drinking from a water bottle at the time, meaning he had only one hand on the handlebars, which may have reduced his control. Television footage also appeared to show his front wheel striking a dark object on the roadway, though the exact cause remains under review.

After attempting to remount his bike, Pogačar was unable to proceed due to severe pain. He was attended to by medical staff, seen with his arm in a sling and visible cuts on his face, before being transported first to a hospital in Gandia and later transferred to Barcelona for...