Concussion delays Pogačar’s surgery, putting the rest of his season in doubt

Good news considering the seriousness of Tadej Pogačar's situation. After spending his first night hospitalized following the severe fall that forced him to abandon La Vuelta a España 2026, the Slovenian has posted a photograph from the hospital in which he appears cheerful as he continues to recover from his injuries.

Pogačar will have to wait to undergo surgery on his collarbone

Pogačar accompanied the image posted on his social media with the song "Stayin' Alive," showing his unique way of coping with the hours following one of the most significant accidents of his sports career.

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider is currently hospitalized in a Barcelona hospital, where he was transferred by ambulance after receiving initial medical attention in Gandía, the nearest hospital to the location where he suffered the fall during stage 8 of La Vuelta.

The shocking sequence of Pogacar leaving the hospital

Immobilized on a stretcher and heading to Barcelona, where he will undergo surgery.#LaVuelta26 @apuntesports pic.twitter.com/ftaWY4wfMO

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) August 30, 2026

The tests conducted after the accident confirmed that Pogačar suffered a concussion, a displaced fracture of the left collarbone, a stable fracture of the cervical vertebra C7, and multiple abrasions.

Despite the seriousness of the injuries, UAE Team Emirates-XRG also confirmed a particularly important detail: no other significant injuries have been detected, and there is no neurological impairment.

THE IMAGE OF THE YEAR in cycling and undoubtedly among the most shocking in sports this 2026

The moment when Pogacar, with his arm in a sling, had to be taken away in an ambulance from #LaVuelta26 pic.twitter.com/2z8Rv0iqIS

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) August 29, 2026

The displaced fracture of the collarbone requires surgical intervention, but the doctors cannot perform it yet. Dr. Adrian Rotunno, medical director of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, explained that the operation must be postponed as a precaution due to the concussion suffered by the Slovenian.

"His collarbone will need surgery, which will be delayed due to precautions for the concussion," Rotunno explained in the medical report released by the team.

Therefore, the next step in Pogačar's recovery will be to wait until his progress allows for the intervention. The Slovenian remains stable and under medical supervision, and UAE has announced that it will provide a new update after the surgery.

Beyond the collarbone intervention, one of the big unknowns is what will happen with the rest of Pogačar's season. The World Championship in Montreal appears on the calendar as his next major goal, where he should defend the rainbow jersey, but for now, it is impossible to determine when he will be able to return to competition.