Tadej Pogačar withdraws from Vuelta after stage-eight crash
Race leader Tadej Pogačar left the Vuelta a España after suffering shoulder and facial injuries in a crash 31 kilometres from the stage-eight finish.
In short
- Race leader Tadej Pogačar left the Vuelta a España after suffering shoulder and facial injuries in a crash 31 kilometres from the stage-eight finish.
Tadej Pogačar withdrew from the Vuelta a España on Saturday, August 29, 2026, after a heavy crash during stage eight left the race leader with shoulder and facial injuries.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider fell after making contact with another cyclist about 31 kilometres from the finish in Xeraco, near Valencia. He attempted to remount but was unable to continue and was taken away by ambulance. His team subsequently confirmed his withdrawal.
The exit ended Pogačar’s attempt to win the Vuelta for the first time and complete victories in all three Grand Tours. It was also the first time the 27-year-old Slovenian had failed to finish a Grand Tour.
Enric Mas of Movistar inherited the red leader’s jersey. Mas held a lead of one minute and 11 seconds over Felix Gall, with Primož Roglič another 22 seconds behind. Mas did not put on the jersey during the podium ceremony, instead holding it while wishing Pogačar a quick recovery.
Bryan Coquard won the stage after another crash affected the final kilometre. The race continues on Sunday, August 30, with a 187.5-kilometre mountain stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana.
