Tadej Pogacar's season ends after collarbone surgery

Tadej Pogacar will not race again this season after undergoing surgery on the fractured collarbone he suffered in a crash at the Vuelta a España. The Guardian reported that the injuries have also ruled the Slovenian out of the world road race championships in Montreal later this month.

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Pogacar crashed heavily during stage eight of the Vuelta last weekend and was taken to hospital. In addition to the collarbone fracture, the 27-year-old sustained a concussion, a cervical fracture and multiple cuts and bruises. His UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad said his recovery following surgery was progressing well, but the combination of injuries led the team and rider to end his campaign.

The crash stopped a commanding Vuelta challenge. Pogacar had led the 21-day race by three minutes and 50 seconds after its opening week and was considered the overwhelming favourite for overall victory. Winning in Spain would have completed a career sweep of cycling's three Grand Tours for the five-time Tour de France champion.

Pogacar arrived at the Vuelta after winning a fifth Tour de France title in July. That victory placed him alongside Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin in the group of riders with five Tour wins. He was also attempting to become only the fourth rider to win the Tour and Vuelta in the same season.

The injury changes the closing phase of Pogacar's year beyond the Vuelta. He had planned to pursue a third world road race title, which would have equalled the record, before targeting a sixth consecutive Giro di Lombardia victory in October. Both objectives have now been removed from his schedule.

UAE Team Emirates medical director Adrian Rotunno said the team was satisfied with Pogacar's progress after the operation. Rotunno added that, given the full set of injuries, the decision not to return this season was made jointly with the rider. Pogacar said his priority was to recover properly, support his teammates from home and prepare to return next year.