Tadej Pogačar crashes out of Tour of Spain after hitting road debris

Slovenian cycling sensation Tadej Pogačar has been forced to abandon the Tour of Spain (Vuelta) following a serious crash that left him in considerable pain. The incident occurred during a stage where Pogačar, the current red jersey holder, fell awkwardly over his handlebars.

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Disastrous day for Slovenian cycling.

Initial reports suggest Pogačar may have hit a small object on the road, causing him to lose control of his bike and collide with another rider, Ben Tulett. The severity of the fall has raised concerns about potential fractures, possibly to his collarbone or shoulder, and it was also reported that he tore an artery. Despite his evident distress, Pogačar initially attempted to continue but was unable to do so.

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Pogačar suffered much worse, abandoning the race in severe pain.

This withdrawal marks a significant blow not only to the Vuelta, where Pogačar was a leading contender, but also to his upcoming racing calendar. The world road cycling championships in Montreal are just three weeks away, where Pogačar was expected to defend his two-time title. His participation there, and at the European Championships to be held in Slovenia, is now in serious doubt.

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it looked like a broken collarbone, his shoulder could also have been affected, and he also tore an artery.

The crash cast a shadow over an already difficult day for Slovenian cycling, as Primož Roglič also experienced a fall earlier in the race. The UAE Emirates team, to which Pogačar belongs, crossed the finish line together in shock. The race dynamics for the overall victory have now been significantly altered, with local rider Enric Mas of Movistar currently leading the general classification.

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The race has completely changed and opened up, the fight for the overall victory will be very interesting.