The first medical report of the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE), who had to withdraw this Saturday from the Vuelta a España after a violent crash in stage 8 while leading the general classification, is not encouraging at all. Doctor Álvaro Ortiz, who attended him on the road, revealed that the rider has a cranioencephalic trauma with a possible fracture in the left clavicle and several contusions.
Video | Tadej Pogacar suffered a violent accident in stage 8 and withdrew from the Vuelta a España: he left in an ambulance after the serious injuries
The doctor explained on Rtve of Spain that Tadej Pogacar suffered a “quite severe” fall that caused him “a lot of pain.” “He tried to get back on the bike, but when putting weight on his left arm he couldn’t apply pressure,” so he decided to withdraw and was taken by ambulance to a hospital.
When asked about the recovery timeline, he explained that tests will have to be done, “but if there is any fracture, it could even be surgical”, he pointed out, so an operation is not ruled out.
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Severe fall of Pogacar
The Slovenian had to withdraw during the eighth stage after suffering a hard fall 32 km from the finish. Pogacar tried to get back on the bike, but the bloodied left shoulder reflected the severity of the injury of the current Tour de France champion.
Pogacar got into an ambulance with obvious shoulder damage, which was immobilized. After being attended on the road by the race doctors, the leader himself made a negative gesture and chose to abandon.
This is Pogacar‘s first withdrawal in a stage race. The Slovenian, in his tenth season at the UCI level and with nine other grand tours behind him, had never before abandoned a stage race as a professional.
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A painful accident for the five-time Tour de France winner, who was the only and clear favorite to win this 81st edition of the Vuelta. After three stage wins and a 3:50 minute lead in the general classification over the Spaniard Enric Mas and 4:50 over his compatriot Primoz Roglic, Pogacar was on track to join the ‘club’ of 8 riders who have won all three grand tours.
After his withdrawal and the victory of the French Bryan Coquard in stage 8, the Spaniard Enric Mas became the new leader of the general classification. On the podium, he chose not to wear the red jersey as a tribute to his colleague.
“Pogacar’s fall is a great pity, it is unfortunate that there are crashes and that Tadej is one of those affected with the red jersey. I hope he recovers quickly, we still have a few races left and I hope he arrives well to them,” Mas said at the finish line.
The new leader of the Vuelta sent a message to Pogacar to “stay calm because he will be in the best hands.” “I hope he recovers soon,” he added.
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With EFE.
