Race leader Tadej Pogacar withdrew from the Vuelta a España on Saturday after a significant fall during stage eight. The incident, which occurred 31km from the finish of a flat stage, left him with shoulder and face injuries.
Pogacar, representing UAE Team Emirates-XRG, was attempting to remount his bike after brushing shoulders with another rider and losing control. He reportedly cried out "no" and winced in pain when he touched his bike, before being led to an ambulance.
The 27-year-old, who has won five Tour de France titles and a Giro d’Italia, was leading the Spanish 21-day race by 3 minutes 50 seconds over second-placed Enric Mas. This marks the first time Pogacar has failed to finish a grand tour.