Tadej Pogacar has 'successful surgery' after Vuelta crash but season finale remains under threat

Tadej Pogacar, the dominant force in the Vuelta a Espana, suffered a devastating crash on Stage 8, resulting in a concussion and a broken collarbone. The crash occurred when he hit a small object on the road, losing his balance and falling heavily over his handlebars in the midst of the peloton. Team boss Matxin Joxean Fernandez warned that there was a long way to go in the race, drawing comparisons to Jonas Vingegaard's premature end to the Tour de France season due to a similar crash.

Pogacar's hopes for a third consecutive Vuelta crown were dashed, and he will undergo surgery on his left clavicle. Despite the setback, Pogacar remains optimistic and posted a photo of himself in the hospital, wearing a neck brace and plaster on his injuries. His agent, Alex Carera, emphasized that no decision has been made regarding his season, stating that they will wait for the completion of surgery to assess his recovery timeline.

Pogacar's impressive season included victories in several prestigious races, but his focus now shifts to the Paris-Roubaix, the Barcelona Olympics, and his ambition to complete a clean sweep of cycling's five Monument races.