Reigning world champion Tadej Pogacar has undergone successful surgery for a collarbone fracture. The injury occurred during a crash at the Vuelta a Espana, his team confirmed.
Pogacar, a six-time grand tour winner, crashed on stage eight of the race. He was leading by nearly four minutes at the time. His team, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, confirmed he sustained a concussion, multiple abrasions, a displaced left clavicle fracture, and a stable C7 cervical fracture.
Surgery on the collarbone was initially delayed due to the concussion. UAE's medical director, Dr Adrian Rotunno, stated on Monday that the procedure was successful. Pogacar will remain in hospital for post-operative monitoring before returning home for recovery and rehabilitation.
The injuries make a defence of his world title in Montreal and participation in the European Championships in Ljubljana, where he is also the reigning champion, highly unlikely.