Tadej Pogacar, a five-time Tour de France champion, will not compete for the remainder of the season due to injuries sustained in a crash during the Vuelta a España last month. The incident resulted in a fractured neck, a broken collarbone, a concussion, and multiple abrasions.
Impact on Upcoming Races
The injuries effectively end Pogacar's season and prevent him from defending his world championship title at the upcoming UCI Cycling World Championships in Montreal. He had been aiming to add a Vuelta a España title to his victories at the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. Additionally, he was scheduled to defend his European Championship title in Ljubljana and compete in the Il Lombardia race.
Statement and Contract Extension
"Of course, this isn't the way I wanted my season to finish," Pogacar said in a statement released by his team, UAE Team Emirates-XRG. "Right now, the most important thing is to recover properly and give my body the time it needs."
He expressed pride in the season's achievements and indicated a focus on recovery and returning for the next season. Pogacar's team also announced he has extended his contract by two years, through 2032, allowing for a full recovery without a set timeline for his return to competition.