World’s best cyclist Tadej Pogacar forced to undergo surgery after horror crash sees him ABANDON Vuelta a Espana

TADEJ POGACAR requires surgery on a broken collarbone after sustaining multiple injuries in the crash that saw his Vuelta a Espana abandonment. The Slovenian, 27, was forced to quit the cycling event following a heavy smash on stage eight. Tadej Pogacar is set to undergo surgery Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The Slovenian was involved in a horror crash Credit: Getty The UAE Team Emirates-XRG doctor said Pogacar suffered a concussion, a “stable” fracture in his neck and multiple abrasions, in addition to his broken left collarbone. The world’s best cyclist fell to the ground while in the middle of the peloton with 32 kilometres to go to the end point in Xeraco. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Pogacar, who was aiming for a clean sweep of the three Grand Tours, suffered deep wounds and cuts to his left shoulder and left side of his face in the fall. He fell after brushing shoulders with another rider and losing control of his handlebars. Though he tried to remount after a couple of minutes, with his team-mates waiting by the side of the road, Pogacar soon cried out “no” and then winced in pain as he touched his bike. The five-time Tour de France winner was taken away in an ambulance with his arm in a sling. This is the first time he has had to abandon a top race. The crash throws into doubt his participation at next month’s Road Cycling World Championships in Montreal, Canada. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Pogacar was forced to abandon his push for Vuelta a Espana glory Credit: Getty The UAE Team Emirates-XRG talisman had been the race leader following three stage victories in six days. Frenchman Bryan Coquard won the 171-kilometre stage and Spaniard Enric Mas has now been promoted to the new General Classification leader. Movistar ace Mas, 31, had trailed Pogacar – the Giro d’Italia winner in 2024 – by three minutes and 50 seconds. Coquard, of the Cofidis team, said: “It’s a real shame. I hope he gets better quickly. “We have still got a few races left and I hope he will be in good shape for them.” Comment now