Pogacar will miss rest of season after Vuelta crash

Tadej Pogacar, a five‑time Tour de France champion, will not race again this season after crashing on the eighth stage of the Vuelta a España and suffering a cervical fracture, a broken collarbone, a concussion and multiple abrasions. The 27‑year‑old Slovenian was aiming to add the Vuelta to his Giro d’Italia triumph and Tour de France victories, but the injuries rule him out of the upcoming World Championships in Montreal, the European Championships in Ljubljana and the Il Lombardia one‑day Monument later in October. “Of course, this isn't the mode I wanted my play to finish,” Pogacar said in a statement released by his team, UAE Team Emirates‑XRG. “Right now, the most important happening is to retrieve decently and springiness my assemblage the clip it needs.” “It has been a play with galore peculiar moments and I'm arrogant of what we achieved together. Now I'll absorption connected getting healthy, supporting the guys from home, and coming backmost adjacent twelvemonth acceptable for what's ahead.” The team confirmed that the decision to refrain from competition until 2027 will allow Pogacar to return to full health without imposing a specific timeline on his comeback. UAE Team Emirates‑XRG also announced that its lead rider has agreed to extend his contract by two years, running through 2032.