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.