Rock causes Pogacar crash as UAE boss details injuries after Vuelta exit

The world champion suddenly lost control of his bike during stage eight while riding near the front of the peloton. Television footage later showed exactly what had happened: Pogačar hit a large rock at the side of the road, sending him off balance before he crashed heavily.

The incident initially looked unusual. Pogačar was well positioned, there was no obvious touch of wheels and he appeared to have enough space around him. But a replay from another angle showed the Slovenian striking the rock before losing control of his bike.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG team manager Joxean Fernández Matxin had not yet seen those images when he spoke to Eurosport and was therefore more cautious about the precise circumstances of the crash.

"It seems he was drinking, but we don't know exactly whether he touched someone or whether he simply crashed," Matxin told Eurosport. "I don't want to give details about a crash when I wasn't there and don't know exactly what happened."

What was immediately clear was the severity of the impact.

Pogačar initially wanted to continue, according to Matxin, but the pain quickly made that impossible. The UAE manager said the four time Tour de France winner was struggling particularly with his shoulder following the crash.

"He said, 'shoulder pain, shoulder pain'," Matxin explained. "Then, when he tried to move, he was even holding his arm to try to lift it himself."

Pogačar also suffered a cut around his eyebrow. Matxin said the wound itself did not appear especially large, although it was bleeding heavily and would likely require stitches.

The extent of the shoulder injury remains the biggest concern. Pogačar left the race after the crash and was taken for further medical assessment, with UAE unwilling to speculate on the consequences before receiving a full diagnosis.

For a rider who had arrived in Spain targeting another Grand Tour victory, the timing could hardly be worse. Beyond the Vuelta, the World Championships and European Championships were also part of Pogačar's plans later in the season.

Matxin, however, refused to rule out a return before the year is over.

"Why not think about the World Championships?" he said. "We'll see what the doctors say and draw conclusions after the medical report."