Tadej Pogacar Reflects on Recovery After Vuelta a Espana Crash

Tadej Pogacar, a five-time Tour de France champion, is recovering from a severe crash that occurred during the Vuelta a Espana in August, which resulted in three fractured vertebrae. The 28-year-old Slovenian cyclist underwent surgery for a broken collarbone and was initially diagnosed with a C7 fracture, but further examinations revealed additional injuries.

Pogacar experienced significant challenges during his recovery, including concussion symptoms that affected his daily activities. He struggled with dizziness and nausea, requiring assistance even for basic tasks like showering. Despite these difficulties, he found improvement through rehabilitation and indoor training, which positively impacted his mental state.

His team, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, announced that he would not compete again until 2027 to ensure a complete recovery. Pogacar aims to return to racing next year but acknowledges the need for caution, recognizing the serious nature of his injuries and the potential risks of another crash.