Cycling star Tadej Pogačar undergoes surgery after crash at 2026 Vuelta a España

Tadej Pogačar’s commanding Vuelta a España lead ended with a crash, and the Slovenian cycling star has now undergone surgery on his fractured left collarbone.

The UAE Team Emirates rider had led the general classification by almost four minutes after one week and had won three stages. He fell 32 kilometers from the finish during the eighth stage, tried to get back on his bicycle, but could not continue because of the pain.

Doctors diagnosed a concussion, a displaced fracture of the left collarbone, a stable fracture of the C7 cervical vertebra and multiple abrasions. The concussion delayed the operation for 48 hours. Team doctor Adrian Rotunno said the procedure at Barcelona’s Hospital Universitari Dexeus went well and that Pogačar would remain under postoperative observation for several days.

Pogačar posted a photograph from his hospital bed on Sunday wearing a neck brace and added the Bee Gees song "Stayin' Alive." The team said he would return home when ready to begin rehabilitation under medical supervision. No recovery timetable was given, but defending his world title on September 27 in Canada appears to be ruled out.

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successfully underwent surgery on his left collarbone after receiving authorization to proceed with the operation