Tadej Pogacar has announced he will not compete in the world road race championships this month following surgery on a fractured collarbone he suffered in a crash at the Vuelta a Espana. The 27-year-old cyclist, a five-time Tour de France champion, was leading the Vuelta by three minutes and 50 seconds when he crashed on stage eight last weekend. The fall also left him with a concussion, cervical fracture, and multiple cuts and bruises.
Pogacar said in a statement that his priority is to recover properly and give his body the time it needs. He had been the favourite to win the Vuelta and was attempting to complete a clean sweep of all three Grand Tours. He was also planning to target a third world road race title in Montreal and compete in the Giro di Lombardia in October.
The UAE Team Emirates medical team determined there was no benefit in rushing his return to racing this season. Team principal Mauro Gianetti confirmed there is no pressure for Pogacar to return to competition this year, with health and recovery taking priority. Pogacar also signed a contract extension with the team through the end of the 2032 season.