Pogacar suffers neck fracture and needs surgery

Medical examinations following Tadej Pogacar's heavy crash on stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espana have confirmed a concussion, a displaced left collarbone fracture, a stable fracture of the C7 cervical vertebra and multiple abrasions. UAE Team Emirates-XRG said the Slovenian is stable and, despite the seriousness of the injuries, has suffered no neurological damage or other major trauma.

Pogacar will need surgery to repair his collarbone, but the procedure will be delayed because of the precautions required after a concussion. He remains under the care of the team's medical staff, who will provide another update after the operation. The stable nature of the C7 fracture is encouraging, although it will require a particularly cautious recovery.

The accident occurred around 32 kilometres from the finish in Xeraco. Pogacar made a sudden movement after encountering an object on the road, collided with another rider and was thrown over his bicycle. He tried to stand and return to the race, but the pain in his left shoulder prevented him from continuing.

The crash ended a Vuelta he had controlled with three stage victories and a lead of 3:50 over Enric Mas. It also places the rest of his season in doubt. Pogacar had planned to defend his rainbow jersey at the World Championships in Montreal, race the European Championships in Ljubljana and target another victory at Il Lombardia, but his return will now depend on the surgery and his recovery from the cervical injury and concussion.