Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar shares hospital photo after frightening crash

Five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar posted a photo from the hospital wearing a neck brace and with bandages on his hand and face on Sunday, a day after crashing out of the Spanish Vuelta.

Pogačar was expected to undergo surgery after being sent hurdling head-over-handlebars in a frightening crash that forced him to pull out of the Vuelta. He suffered a concussion and broke two bones after he appeared to lose control when a stone came rolling across the road.

The Slovenian from UAE Team Emirates had a big lead and was heavily favoured to win the title to complete a hat trick of cycling’s three Grand Tours.

This was Pogačar’s 10th Grand Tour and the first he has ever abandoned. He had never finished lower than third place.