Tadej Pogačar Heads Home After Surgery as Worlds Doubts Grow

Tadej Pogačar is out a Spanish hospital and is heading home in what’s an encouraging step in his recovery from the devastating crash that ended his Vuelta a España.

Pogačar’s partner Urška Žigart shared a photo Wednesday evening before the world champion headed home, two days after undergoing surgery on his fractured left collarbone.

The photo, posted on Instagram, showed Pogačar walking in flip-flops with his injured arm in a sling, bandages across his upper chest and knee, and abrasions on his raised hand as he flashed a playful “rock on” gesture toward the camera.

Pogačar was pictured without a neck brace. He was joined by Žiga Jerman, his trusted friend and UAE team soigneur.

The UAE Emirates-XRG superstar crashed at high speed during Saturday’s stage 8 and was forced to abandon. Doctors later confirmed a displaced fracture of his left collarbone, a C7 cervical fracture, and a concussion, along with extensive cuts and abrasions. UAE said he suffered no neurological damage or other serious injuries.

Leaving the hospital is the next step in Pogačar’s recovery.

So far, no timeline has been released about a possible return to racing this season or if he can consider starting the UCI road worlds in Montréal on September 27.

Surgery required pins and plates

Spanish media first reported that Pogačar left the Barcelona hospital Wednesday, perhaps sooner than initially expected.

Pogačar was first treated at a hospital in Gandia before being transferred by ambulance to Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona early Sunday.

Doctors waited until Monday evening to operate because of concussion protocols.

The collarbone injury proved more complicated than initially feared, according to Spanish newspaper El Periódico, which cited medical sources familiar with the procedure.

Catalan trauma surgeon Dr. Xavier Mir — who’s worked with elite MotoGP riders — led the operation, which finished at around 6 p.m. Monday.

“The operation required pins and plates to reconstruct the collarbone. The cyclist now needs a reasonable period to compete again,” El Periódico reported Monday.

According to AS, Pogačar was placed in a room overlooking the famous Camp Nou soccer stadium. Several teammates checked in with the world No. 1, including Isaac del Toro.

His early release offers some good news following the 27-year-old’s horrific crash. He was forced to abandon the Vuelta while holding a commanding lead on the red jersey.

The complexity of the operation and injuries, however, have raised doubts over whether he will be able to defend his world road title in Montréal on September 27.

A doctor with the Slovenian national cycling team poured cold water on the prospect of Pogačar returning in time for the world championships.

“It’s not realistic, even though we would all like it to be. Ultimately, Tadej Pogačar is a human being who has to live in his body for the rest of his life after his career ends,” Krištof Knap told Slovenian television.

“It is important that he suffers no lasting consequences. After all, he still has quite a few years of his career ahead of him, and it is crucial that he completes a full rehabilitation without rushing.”

No pressure from team

Speaking earlier this week, team boss Mauro Gianetti said it’s too early to say if the world No. 1 will be in Montréal.

“Recovering in time for the world championships doesn’t seem likely,” Gianetti said earlier this week. “We will see how things progress over the next few days.”

The Slovenian was targeting a third consecutive rainbow jersey that would tie him with Peter Sagan and four others for the all-time record.

His later dates on his calendar — the European Championships in Ljubljana on October 7 and Il Lombardia three days later — are also too soon to call.

UAE sports manager Joxean Fernández Matxín stressed that a rushed return to racing is not the priority.

“This is about Tadej the person, not Tadej the cyclist,” Matxín told Velo and other media this week at the Vuelta. “Any decisions about returning to competition will be made in accordance with team doctors.”