Tadej Pogačar will undergo successful surgery on his broken collarbone following a high-speed crash during the 11th stage of the Vuelta a España, the cyclist announced on Thursday. The injury will force the reigning champion to abandon the race and end his 2024 season prematurely.
The crash occurred on the steep descent of the Alto de Naranco with approximately 30 kilometers remaining in the stage. Pogačar was descending at high speed when his front wheel struck a section of road debris, causing him to lose control and collide with the outer barrier. The 25-year-old Slovenian was airlifted to a hospital in Oviedo where medical staff confirmed a displaced fracture of the right clavicle and several contusions.
“I’m disappointed to end my Vuelta campaign like this, but my health comes first,” Pogačar wrote on his Instagram account. “The surgery went well and I’m confident in the medical team’s assessment. I’ll focus on recovery and getting back stronger.”
The decision to operate came after consultations with orthopedic specialists at Hospital Universitario Marqués de Salud in Asturias, where Pogačar was taken immediately after the crash. The procedure involved realignment of the broken bone fragments and placement of a small plate to stabilize the fracture during healing.
Pogačar’s abandonment marks the first time he has left a Grand Tour mid-stage due to injury, ending his pursuit of a second Vuelta victory. The Slovenian had been in strong contention for the overall classification, sitting fourth in the general time trial with 10 days of racing remaining.
Analysis: The crash occurred during one of the most treacherous sections of the Vuelta, where narrow roads and aggressive racing lines create inherent risks. Pogačar was among a group of favorites tackling the descent when multiple riders encountered difficulties, though he sustained the most serious injuries. Teammate Primož Roglič witnessed the crash and described it as “violent” in post-race comments.
The UCI peloton has seen an uptick in high-speed crashes during mountain stages this season, with safety officials scrambling to address concerns about road conditions and spectator barriers. Pogačar’s accident adds to a growing list of major injuries that have plagued the 2024 cycling calendar, including crashes involving Vingegaard and Evenepoel earlier this year.
Why it matters
Pogačar’s absence fundamentally alters the dynamics of the Vuelta a España, stripping the race of its most compelling storyline and potentially diminishing television interest for the remaining stages. As the current world number one and reigning Tour de France champion, his participation transforms every stage into a must-watch event. Without him, the competition for the overall lead has opened dramatically, with teams like Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE Team Emirates now free to pursue victory without their primary rival.
The injury also represents a significant setback for Pogačar’s season objectives. Following his dominant Tour de France victory in July, the Slovenian had positioned himself as the preeminent rider in the sport, with the Vuelta representing his best opportunity to add a second Grand Tour triumph to his résumé. His absence means he will miss the crucial lead-up races to the 2025 season, including the Tour de France, where he would have been the clear favorite to defend his title.
Beyond individual consequences, Pogačar’s crash underscores ongoing safety concerns in professional cycling that have intensified since the sport’s return to pre-pandemic racing schedules. The concentration of top riders on descents during mountain stages creates dangerous bottlenecks, while road conditions in certain regions remain suboptimal despite significant investments in course preparation.
Background and context
Tadej Pogačar has dominated professional cycling over the past three years, capturing the Tour de France in 2020 and 2024 while consistently challenging for major victories. His aggressive racing style and exceptional climbing ability have made him one of the most recognizable figures in the sport, with a fanbase that spans continents and demographics.
The Vuelta a España, scheduled to conclude on September 15, has historically served as Pogačar’s secondary Grand Tour target after his initial struggles in the Spanish race in 2020. Since then, he has transformed his approach, winning the 2023 edition in dominant fashion and entering 2024 as the clear favorite to add another victory to his collection.
Pogačar’s injury follows a pattern of significant crashes that have affected the peloton throughout 2024. In June, Jonas Vingegaard suffered a broken wrist in a training accident that kept him out of competition for two months. Similarly, Wout van Aert endured a severe crash during the Tour de France that required extensive rehabilitation. These incidents have prompted team directors and race organizers to reevaluate safety protocols, particularly regarding descent procedures and medical response times.
The decision to abandon the Vuelta comes after Pogačar completed 452 kilometers of racing across nine stages, demonstrating his commitment to competing despite challenging conditions. His team, Bahrain Victorious, confirmed that he will return to Europe for continued medical care and begin rehabilitation under the supervision of their sports science staff.
What to watch next
The immediate focus shifts to how Pogačar’s absence affects the overall classification, with current leader Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates now facing less resistance in his pursuit of victory. The 22-year-old Spanish rider leads by 1 minute and 34 seconds over defending champion Primož Roglič, with both riders now clear favorites for the title.
Team dynamics will likely shift dramatically in the remaining stages, as rivals who had structured their racing around containing Pogačar must now adapt to a new competitive landscape. Bahrain Victorious will need to decide whether to continue supporting Ayuso or pivot toward other objectives, creating intriguing tactical scenarios for the final week of racing.
Medical updates will be closely monitored as Pogačar begins his recovery process. The typical healing time for a collarbone fracture ranges from 6 to 8 weeks, though return to high-intensity cycling requires additional conditioning and strength training. His team has indicated that he will miss the beginning of the 2025 season, potentially affecting preparations for next year’s Tour de France.
The cycling community will also watch for changes in safety regulations and course design, with race organizers facing pressure to implement additional protective measures for descents and high-speed sections. The UCI has pledged to review safety protocols following several serious incidents this season, though concrete changes may take time to materialize.
Conclusion
Tadej Pogačar’s decision to undergo surgery and abandon the Vuelta a España represents both a personal setback and a pivotal moment for professional cycling. His absence removes the sport’s most compelling narrative from the final stages of its most prestigious race, while simultaneously highlighting ongoing safety concerns that demand systematic attention.
The Slovenian’s recovery will be closely followed by fans and competitors alike, as his return to competition remains uncertain but highly anticipated. For the cycling world, this incident serves as a reminder that even the most dominant athletes remain vulnerable to the inherent risks of their sport, and that progress toward safer racing conditions requires constant vigilance and innovation.
As the Vuelta continues without its star rider, the focus will naturally shift to emerging storylines and new heroes, though few will match the significance of Pogačar’s journey back to peak form. His rehabilitation process, beginning immediately in Europe, will likely become a season-long narrative that captures the attention of cycling enthusiasts worldwide.
Sources
Herald Express
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Story synopsis gathered from: Al Jazeera News — source
