Pogačar faces major surgery and uncertain season after Vuelta crash
Tadej Pogačar will undergo a serious collarbone operation within the next two days, with his participation in the World Championships still unclear, team boss Mauro Gianetti said.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG team principal Mauro Gianetti said the five-time Tour de France winner will likely have surgery on his displaced collarbone on Tuesday or Wednesday, after his concussion symptoms subside. The operation follows a crash on stage 8 of the Vuelta a España that left Pogačar with a concussion, a displaced collarbone fracture and a cervical fracture. Gianetti told France's RMC Sport that the timing of the procedure depends on the rider’s recovery from the concussion.
Pogačar, who had been leading the Vuelta and had won half of the six stages completed, now faces an uncertain remainder of the season. When asked about his chances of starting the World Championships road race in Montréal in September, Gianetti said the short timeframe and the seriousness of the collarbone injury make a return “not easy,” and that a decision will be made after the surgery and early recovery progress are assessed.
The rider also missed the opportunity to add a Grand Tour victory to his record. Gianetti emphasized that the team will avoid premature decisions and will evaluate the situation in the coming days before confirming any plans for the end-of-season races, including the World Championships and the Il Lombardia Monument.