Tadej Pogacar pictured before the start of stage eight of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana Alexander Hassenstein/Getty ImagesAug. 29, 2026 11:27 am EDT Updated Race leader Tadej Pogačar has abandoned the Vuelta a España after crashing on stage eight of the race, suffering a suspected broken collarbone.The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider, who had won three of the first seven stages and had a commanding lead of 3:50 over Movistar’s Enric Mas, crashed with 33km remaining of the stage.He was positioned about 20th wheel in the peloton when he went down, the crash occurring just moments after the intermediate sprint in Simat de Valldigna.
The world champion’s red jersey was torn and he was sporting bloody cuts on his left shoulder. He winced as he held his collarbone.
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 29, 2026Ben Tulett of Visma-Lease a Bike, as well as Netcompany-INEOS duo Oscar Onley and Carlos Rodriguez, were also caught up in the crash, but appeared unhurt.It is the first time that Pogačar has been forced to abandon any race since he broke his wrist at the 2023 Liège-Bastogne-Liège.More to follow…
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