Sports · Other Sports · 3 hrs ago
Pogacar describes severe injuries and difficult recovery after Vuelta crash
Tadej Pogacar says he was grateful to be alive after crashing during the Vuelta cycling race on 29 August.
The Slovenian rider was leading the race when he fell.
The crash caused three broken vertebrae, a broken collarbone and a concussion, with two of the spinal fractures identified in a later scan.
For the first two weeks, he had dizziness and struggled with everyday tasks, including standing and showering, and said he felt depressed.
Gradual exercise and regular physiotherapy helped him feel better during his recovery.
He has returned to training and says he no longer has physical discomfort.
He is wary that another fall could be dangerous, and says he must take care with cycling and some heavy lifting.
The reports do not give a date for his return to racing.
Tadej Pogacar said he was grateful to be alive after a serious crash during the Vuelta on August 29.
He suffered a concussion, a broken left collarbone and fractures to three vertebrae.
Pogacar said he was depressed and struggled with dizziness during the first two weeks of recovery.
He later resumed training and said he no longer had physical discomfort.
He warned that another cycling crash could be very problematic.
- Who
- Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian cyclist.
- What
- He described his serious injuries and difficult recovery after a crash during the Vuelta.
- When
- The crash happened on August 29. He spoke about it in an interview published on October 31, 2026.
- Where
- The crash happened during the Vuelta. He recovered at home in Monte Carlo.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pogacar crashed during a Vuelta stage while wearing the red leader’s jersey.
A new CT scan showed two additional fractured vertebrae, bringing the total to three.
Pogacar said he felt depressed and had difficulty standing because of dizziness.
An X-ray showed that the fracture had not healed enough for him to race.
Pogacar had hoped to compete in the European Championships in Slovenia, but did not race.
News reports published his account of the crash and recovery.
- Crash date
- August 29
- Injuries
- Concussion, broken left collarbone and three fractured vertebrae
- Recovery location
- Monte Carlo
- Initial recovery period
- First two weeks
- European Championships
- October 4, in Slovenia
3 sources
What people are saying
I was simply happy to be alive, or even just to still be standing.
For the first two weeks, mentally I was not well.
I could not stand without getting dizzy.
If I were to crash again now, it could be very problematic.