Take6 hours ago
Pogačar's Vuelta crash left three spinal fractures, not one
Pogačar told The Athletic that the Vuelta a España crash left him with three spinal fractures (C7, T1 and T2), plus a fractured collarbone and concussion. The injuries first reported were a concussion, a fractured left collarbone, a stable C7 cervical fracture, cuts and bruises. He learned of the T1 and T2 fractures at a CT scan in Slovenia in mid-October, about two weeks before the interview.
What this means
Pogačar says he is preparing for 2027 and will aim for a superb season. He also says: «If I crash again on the bike now, it can be very problematic.» Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme suggested he might not return to his previous level.
Pogačar was leading the Vuelta a España and was set to win when he hit a stone about 33 km from the finish of stage 8 on 29 August 2026, landing heavily on his left arm and shoulder. He was the first overall leader to crash out since Igor Anton in 2010. On 5 September his team confirmed he would not race again in 2026, citing the concussion, stable C7 fracture and open clavicle fracture, and said there was no timeline for his return. In the interview, published 31 October, he said: «I knew I had a C7 fracture, but then we saw I had two more broken vertebrae, the T1 and T2.» On the result of the scan: «I'm just happy to be alive, actually, or just to be standing.» He now says he has no discomfort, must avoid crashing and heavy lifting with his left arm or neck, and can do almost everything normally.
Sources
Tadej Pogačar ‘Happy to Be Alive’: More Spinal Injuries RevealedTadej Pogačar reveals three fractured vertebrae after Vuelta crash: “I’m just happy to be alive”Tadej Pogačar to miss remainder of 2026 season after Vuelta a España crash, but extends UAE Team Emirates-XRG contract until 2032‘I’m just happy to be alive’ – Pogačar opens up about difficult recovery
Analysed 4 sources, written and summarised with AI · How we work