Tour of Spain: Frenchman Bryan Coquard wins chaotic 8th stage sprint; Pogacar abandons

French cyclist Bryan Coquard secured his first Grand Tour stage victory by winning the eighth stage of the Tour of Spain in a chaotic mass sprint on Saturday. The 34-year-old Cofidis rider triumphed in Xeraco after a massive crash in the final 500 meters disrupted the peloton.

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A deliverance. Bryan Coquard (34 years old) won the eighth stage of the Vuelta this Saturday, at the end of a chaotic mass sprint marked by a huge crash in the last 500 meters, in Xeraco.

Coquard edged out Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek and Jordi Meeus of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe in a hard-fought sprint. This victory marks a significant moment for Coquard, who has long sought a stage win in one of cycling's major tours.

The day's events were overshadowed by the seismic withdrawal of Tadej Pogacar, the race leader, who crashed heavily with less than 30 kilometers remaining. Pogacar was subsequently evacuated by ambulance, ending his hopes for victory in this year's Vuelta.

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The stage was marked by the seismic abandonment of Tadej Pogacar, leader of the race, who crashed heavily with nearly 30 km to go before being evacuated by ambulance.

Following Pogacar's abandonment, Spain's Enric Mas of Movistar has taken over the red jersey as the new race leader. The 31-year-old Mas, a multiple Grand Tour podium finisher, now has a chance to claim a maiden victory on home soil.

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The new red jersey is Spaniard Enric Mas (Movistar), who can dream, at 31 years old, of a first title on his home soil after numerous podiums.