{"id":2118951,"date":"2026-08-29T21:37:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T18:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2118951"},"modified":"2026-08-29T21:37:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T18:37:12","slug":"tadej-pogacars-brutally-unexpected-exit-from-the-vuelta-a-espana-is-a-massive-reminder-of-cyclings-intrinsic-unpredictability-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2118951","title":{"rendered":"Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-2100-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xugVTju2QKinpXhphFnyUe-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xugVTju2QKinpXhphFnyUe-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;We don&#8217;t know if he was racing at 100%&#8217; \u2013 Rival sports director believes Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader Poga\u010dar&#8217;s failure to finish solo on stage 6 delivers mixed messages\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b72yVfVNrWtLjCwBS8EHse-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b72yVfVNrWtLjCwBS8EHse-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tadej Poga\u010dar suffers neck fracture and concussion in crash that ends his Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;It&#8217;s a sad way to end it&#8217; &#8211; exit of Tadej Poga\u010dar sparks wave of sympathy and regret in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-29T21:37:12Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n29 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Slovenian&#8217;s dramatic departure from race creates a total game-changer for the Spanish Grand Tour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s depature changes the outlook of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2309ee52-a3f1-11f1-928c-5fb886cff830\">Four days ago, after Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s latest knock-out victory at Andorra, when UAE Team Emirates-XRG head of racing Joxean Fern\u00e1ndez Matxin warned that nothing could ever be taken for granted in cycling, to be honest, it was hard not to think that this was simply stating a formality.<\/p>\n<p>Just look at Vingegaard, Matxin had pointed out, just when he was getting stronger in the Tour de France this July, &#8220;there was a roundabout, a crash and that was it.&#8221; One of the Tour&#8217;s most established figures, a five-times podium finisher and double winner had suddenly fallen by the wayside for 2026.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2309ee52-a3f1-11f1-928c-5fb886cff830-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Or, Matxin added, referring to the hailstorms that battered the Vuelta on stage 3, &#8220;who could have imagined that happening two kilometres before it did? Nobody.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the considerable benefit of hindsight, and given the events some 30 kilometres from the finish of stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, Matxin&#8217;s words at Andorra seem uncannily prophetic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Certainly, and with all due respect to Jonas Vingegaard, when it came to Poga\u010dar, such has been the scale of his success for the last three years, it was far harder to imagine that the Slovenian could suffer such a brutal reversal of fortune as he did on the roads of Valencia on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">What now for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? After Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trademark display of GC power, a normally unpredictable race heads into uncharted territory &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s a sad way to end it&#8217; &#8211; exit of Tadej Poga\u010dar sparks wave of sympathy and regret in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar could win the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a by 10 minutes but total domination is unlikely \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since 2024, in fact, the number of races that Poga\u010dar wanted to win and didn&#8217;t can literally be counted on the fingers of one hand. And as for the ones he did conquer, from the Tour de France and the Tour of Flanders to the Tre Valli Varesine, the list has been almost endless. At the same time, since his heavy fall in Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge of 2023, breaking his wrist, and the loss of the Tour de France that followed, the setbacks have been minimal, and essentially have served as reminders of his crushing superiority in every race he started.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Yes, he took six starts to win Milan-Sanremo this year, and his goal of winning Paris-Roubaix remains &#8211; after two attempts &#8211; still on the agenda. But there was that crash in Sanremo this year, too, and he still got back up and won. Equally, as soon as he announced he was taking part in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, the only question, realistically, was who would be finishing second and how quickly he would put the GC out of reach.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s aura of invulnerability has increased exponentially with each triumph, even if the real reason for his success is due to a huge number of factors, with his own dedication to the sport and the sheer hard graft of training, as well as the constantly rising level of performance across the board of his entire team, not least amongst them.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The answer regarding the speed of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s rise to the top in the Vuelta seemed to have been reached at Andorra, which he ended with an advantage of over three minutes and a leader&#8217;s jersey that, for all the media speculation about possibly &#8216;loaning&#8217; it to another team to ease the pressure on his squad for a while, seemed increasingly unrealistic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even the unexpected arrival of rival Movistar\u2019s Enric Mas on the summit of Puerto de El Bartolo on stage 6 alongside Poga\u010dar seemed anecdotal, given how easily the Slovenian shrugged off the opposition, almost without trying, 24 hours later on the ascent to Aram\u00f3n Valdelinares.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">\u2018Right now we have to be with Tadej the person&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG management prioritize Poga\u010dar&#8217;s recovery after Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader crashes out of race<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With that in mind, if we look at it in sporting terms, the sudden exit of the world&#8217;s number 1 from the Vuelta carries far more impact than any &#8216;normal&#8217; abandon by the other top names. Following his crash out, UAE are rightly prioritising the rider&#8217;s health and wellbeing above any other considerations. But for the race, the Poga\u010dar-shaped power vacuum that so abruptly appeared when he finally had to admit he could not continue and clamber into the ambulance is one with massive consequences for the Vuelta too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Historically, too, for a rider to be dominating a Grand Tour on the level Poga\u010dar was doing at the Vuelta and then to crash out is, fortunately, a real rarity. There was the case of Chris Froome in the 2014 Tour, where the Briton was defending champion and standout favourite, but when Froome abandoned after falling on the Roubaix cobbled stage, he wasn&#8217;t in yellow and certainly hadn&#8217;t shown the degree of domination Poga\u010dar has displayed since day 1 of the Vuelta.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Possibly the closest in a Grand Tour would be much further back, in 1971, when race leader Luis Oca\u00f1a had an advantage of over five minutes on Eddy Merckx and looked set to end the Belgian&#8217;s stranglehold on Grand Tours. But a sudden fall on the rain-soaked Col de Ment\u00e9, just when Merckx was on the point of admitting defeat (and had reportedly already done so to Oca\u00f1a), upended the race completely, as Oca\u00f1a abandoned.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Comparisons between cycling&#8217;s eras don&#8217;t really work out, but on one level at least, we are now in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, but not with a non-conformist, erratically brilliant racer like Oca\u00f1a, but with the Eddy Merckx of modern-day bike racing himself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As Larry Warbasse sagely put it after the finish of stage 8, the Vuelta GC has suddenly been flung wide open following the absence of the number 1 favourite to win it, but at the same time, as he said, absolutely nobody wanted to see Poga\u010dar leave like this.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Either way, Sunday morning&#8217;s start of the Vuelta will see the race move into a very different kind of terrain to 24 hours earlier. And whoever stands the tallest on the winner&#8217;s podium in Granada on the evening of September 13, the reminder that nobody, not even Poga\u010dar, can avoid cycling&#8217;s unpredictable edge will endure regardless, for a long time to come.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2309ef7e-a3f1-11f1-b3fe-9ff46728db29\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What now for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? After Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trademark display of GC power, a normally unpredictable race heads into uncharted territory &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s a sad way to end it&#8217; &#8211; exit of Tadej Poga\u010dar sparks wave of sympathy and regret in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar could win the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a by 10 minutes but total domination is unlikely \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018Right now we have to be with Tadej the person&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG management prioritize Poga\u010dar&#8217;s recovery after Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader crashes out of race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Disappointment at SD Worx-Protime as Mischa Bredewold misses fourth consecutive victory at Classic Lorient Agglom\u00e9ration<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Human Powered Health&#8217;s makeover continues with another big-name signing in Yara Kastelijn<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a: Bryan Coquard edges out Mads Pedersen to win crash-marred stage 8 as Tadej Poga\u010dar abandons<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I wasn&#8217;t angry at all&#8217; &#8211; Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader Tadej Poga\u010dar denies he attacked on Aram\u00f3n Valdelinares finish because he was upset<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a: Andreas Leknessund, Tobias Johannessen solo away from Wout van Aert in Uno-X Mobility 1-2 on stage 7<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Did dehydration play a role in Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s failed solo move at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? World champion says no but was denied a bottle and has a few fuelling fails to his name<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar just logged the biggest solo victory of his Grand Tour career \u2013 here&#8217;s how it stacks up in his gallery of lone raids<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Groupsets<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The new Shimano Dura-Ace still isn\u2019t wireless, but does it actually matter?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What now for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? After Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trademark display of GC power, a normally unpredictable race heads into uncharted territory &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A lost season, cobbled and track triumphs, and battles with Wiebes \u2013 The story behind Lara Gillespie&#8217;s rapid rise to the top<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our Incolor SSR review before it goes live<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NcfSBMaCtSJn2WSSdfraP-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NcfSBMaCtSJn2WSSdfraP-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NcfSBMaCtSJn2WSSdfraP-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NcfSBMaCtSJn2WSSdfraP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar transferred to Barcelona hospital by ambulance as question marks linger over cause of crash and rest of season after Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a abandon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Disappointment at SD Worx-Protime as Mischa Bredewold misses fourth consecutive victory at Classic Lorient Agglom\u00e9ration<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;A lot of people thought they were superheroes today&#8217; \u2013 Matthew Brennan laments risk-taking in Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton on a day marked by numerous crashes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;It&#8217;s a sad way to end it&#8217; &#8211; exit of Tadej Poga\u010dar sparks wave of sympathy and regret in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-29T21:37:12Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n29 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Slovenian&#8217;s dramatic departure from race creates a total game-changer for the Spanish Grand Tour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s depature changes the outlook of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 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py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2309ee52-a3f1-11f1-928c-5fb886cff830\">Four days ago, after Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s latest knock-out victory at Andorra, when UAE Team Emirates-XRG head of racing Joxean Fern\u00e1ndez Matxin warned that nothing could ever be taken for granted in cycling, to be honest, it was hard not to think that this was simply stating a formality.<\/p>\n<p>Just look at Vingegaard, Matxin had pointed out, just when he was getting stronger in the Tour de France this July, &#8220;there was a roundabout, a crash and that was it.&#8221; One of the Tour&#8217;s most established figures, a five-times podium finisher and double winner had suddenly fallen by the wayside for 2026.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2309ee52-a3f1-11f1-928c-5fb886cff830-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Or, Matxin added, referring to the hailstorms that battered the Vuelta on stage 3, &#8220;who could have imagined that happening two kilometres before it did? Nobody.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the considerable benefit of hindsight, and given the events some 30 kilometres from the finish of stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, Matxin&#8217;s words at Andorra seem uncannily prophetic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Certainly, and with all due respect to Jonas Vingegaard, when it came to Poga\u010dar, such has been the scale of his success for the last three years, it was far harder to imagine that the Slovenian could suffer such a brutal reversal of fortune as he did on the roads of Valencia on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">What now for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? After Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trademark display of GC power, a normally unpredictable race heads into uncharted territory &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s a sad way to end it&#8217; &#8211; exit of Tadej Poga\u010dar sparks wave of sympathy and regret in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar could win the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a by 10 minutes but total domination is unlikely \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since 2024, in fact, the number of races that Poga\u010dar wanted to win and didn&#8217;t can literally be counted on the fingers of one hand. And as for the ones he did conquer, from the Tour de France and the Tour of Flanders to the Tre Valli Varesine, the list has been almost endless. At the same time, since his heavy fall in Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge of 2023, breaking his wrist, and the loss of the Tour de France that followed, the setbacks have been minimal, and essentially have served as reminders of his crushing superiority in every race he started.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Yes, he took six starts to win Milan-Sanremo this year, and his goal of winning Paris-Roubaix remains &#8211; after two attempts &#8211; still on the agenda. But there was that crash in Sanremo this year, too, and he still got back up and won. Equally, as soon as he announced he was taking part in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, the only question, realistically, was who would be finishing second and how quickly he would put the GC out of reach.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s aura of invulnerability has increased exponentially with each triumph, even if the real reason for his success is due to a huge number of factors, with his own dedication to the sport and the sheer hard graft of training, as well as the constantly rising level of performance across the board of his entire team, not least amongst them.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The answer regarding the speed of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s rise to the top in the Vuelta seemed to have been reached at Andorra, which he ended with an advantage of over three minutes and a leader&#8217;s jersey that, for all the media speculation about possibly &#8216;loaning&#8217; it to another team to ease the pressure on his squad for a while, seemed increasingly unrealistic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even the unexpected arrival of rival Movistar\u2019s Enric Mas on the summit of Puerto de El Bartolo on stage 6 alongside Poga\u010dar seemed anecdotal, given how easily the Slovenian shrugged off the opposition, almost without trying, 24 hours later on the ascent to Aram\u00f3n Valdelinares.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">\u2018Right now we have to be with Tadej the person&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG management prioritize Poga\u010dar&#8217;s recovery after Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader crashes out of race<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With that in mind, if we look at it in sporting terms, the sudden exit of the world&#8217;s number 1 from the Vuelta carries far more impact than any &#8216;normal&#8217; abandon by the other top names. Following his crash out, UAE are rightly prioritising the rider&#8217;s health and wellbeing above any other considerations. But for the race, the Poga\u010dar-shaped power vacuum that so abruptly appeared when he finally had to admit he could not continue and clamber into the ambulance is one with massive consequences for the Vuelta too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Historically, too, for a rider to be dominating a Grand Tour on the level Poga\u010dar was doing at the Vuelta and then to crash out is, fortunately, a real rarity. There was the case of Chris Froome in the 2014 Tour, where the Briton was defending champion and standout favourite, but when Froome abandoned after falling on the Roubaix cobbled stage, he wasn&#8217;t in yellow and certainly hadn&#8217;t shown the degree of domination Poga\u010dar has displayed since day 1 of the Vuelta.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Possibly the closest in a Grand Tour would be much further back, in 1971, when race leader Luis Oca\u00f1a had an advantage of over five minutes on Eddy Merckx and looked set to end the Belgian&#8217;s stranglehold on Grand Tours. But a sudden fall on the rain-soaked Col de Ment\u00e9, just when Merckx was on the point of admitting defeat (and had reportedly already done so to Oca\u00f1a), upended the race completely, as Oca\u00f1a abandoned.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Comparisons between cycling&#8217;s eras don&#8217;t really work out, but on one level at least, we are now in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, but not with a non-conformist, erratically brilliant racer like Oca\u00f1a, but with the Eddy Merckx of modern-day bike racing himself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As Larry Warbasse sagely put it after the finish of stage 8, the Vuelta GC has suddenly been flung wide open following the absence of the number 1 favourite to win it, but at the same time, as he said, absolutely nobody wanted to see Poga\u010dar leave like this.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Either way, Sunday morning&#8217;s start of the Vuelta will see the race move into a very different kind of terrain to 24 hours earlier. And whoever stands the tallest on the winner&#8217;s podium in Granada on the evening of September 13, the reminder that nobody, not even Poga\u010dar, can avoid cycling&#8217;s unpredictable edge will endure regardless, for a long time to come.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2309ef7e-a3f1-11f1-b3fe-9ff46728db29\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What now for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? After Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trademark display of GC power, a normally unpredictable race heads into uncharted territory &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s a sad way to end it&#8217; &#8211; exit of Tadej Poga\u010dar sparks wave of sympathy and regret in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar could win the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a by 10 minutes but total domination is unlikely \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018Right now we have to be with Tadej the person&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG management prioritize Poga\u010dar&#8217;s recovery after Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader crashes out of race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E4RkU8rMnBW5TwXorbSCaj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Disappointment at SD Worx-Protime as Mischa Bredewold misses fourth consecutive victory at Classic Lorient Agglom\u00e9ration<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ho53M8B3KLAJJddB3bkRh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Human Powered Health&#8217;s makeover continues with another big-name signing in Yara Kastelijn<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5KEmG9Mw2xPBWCjLEGNcT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a: Bryan Coquard edges out Mads Pedersen to win crash-marred stage 8 as Tadej Poga\u010dar abandons<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yt79PW2pJtSFxkDjt7Nz65-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I wasn&#8217;t angry at all&#8217; &#8211; Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader Tadej Poga\u010dar denies he attacked on Aram\u00f3n Valdelinares finish because he was upset<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7d6FJ3mhLbq94pfqzgq9TG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a: Andreas Leknessund, Tobias Johannessen solo away from Wout van Aert in Uno-X Mobility 1-2 on stage 7<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8BBmwDdaLF9SPqhiJM4PzJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Did dehydration play a role in Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s failed solo move at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? World champion says no but was denied a bottle and has a few fuelling fails to his name<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar just logged the biggest solo victory of his Grand Tour career \u2013 here&#8217;s how it stacks up in his gallery of lone raids<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Groupsets<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The new Shimano Dura-Ace still isn\u2019t wireless, but does it actually matter?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What now for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? After Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trademark display of GC power, a normally unpredictable race heads into uncharted territory &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A lost season, cobbled and track triumphs, and battles with Wiebes \u2013 The story behind Lara Gillespie&#8217;s rapid rise to the top<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our Incolor SSR review before it goes live<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NcfSBMaCtSJn2WSSdfraP-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NcfSBMaCtSJn2WSSdfraP-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NcfSBMaCtSJn2WSSdfraP-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NcfSBMaCtSJn2WSSdfraP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar transferred to Barcelona hospital by ambulance as question marks linger over cause of crash and rest of season after Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a abandon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Disappointment at SD Worx-Protime as Mischa Bredewold misses fourth consecutive victory at Classic Lorient Agglom\u00e9ration<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;A lot of people thought they were superheroes today&#8217; \u2013 Matthew Brennan laments risk-taking in Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton on a day marked by numerous crashes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;It&#8217;s a sad way to end it&#8217; &#8211; exit of Tadej Poga\u010dar sparks wave of sympathy and regret in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-29T21:37:12Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n29 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Slovenian&#8217;s dramatic departure from race creates a total game-changer for the Spanish Grand Tour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2309ee52-a3f1-11f1-928c-5fb886cff830\">Four days ago, after Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s latest knock-out victory at Andorra, when UAE Team Emirates-XRG head of racing Joxean Fern\u00e1ndez Matxin warned that nothing could ever be taken for granted in cycling, to be honest, it was hard not to think that this was simply stating a formality.<\/p>\n<p>Just look at Vingegaard, Matxin had pointed out, just when he was getting stronger in the Tour de France this July, &#8220;there was a roundabout, a crash and that was it.&#8221; One of the Tour&#8217;s most established figures, a five-times podium finisher and double winner had suddenly fallen by the wayside for 2026.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2309ee52-a3f1-11f1-928c-5fb886cff830-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Or, Matxin added, referring to the hailstorms that battered the Vuelta on stage 3, &#8220;who could have imagined that happening two kilometres before it did? Nobody.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the considerable benefit of hindsight, and given the events some 30 kilometres from the finish of stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, Matxin&#8217;s words at Andorra seem uncannily prophetic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Certainly, and with all due respect to Jonas Vingegaard, when it came to Poga\u010dar, such has been the scale of his success for the last three years, it was far harder to imagine that the Slovenian could suffer such a brutal reversal of fortune as he did on the roads of Valencia on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">What now for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? After Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trademark display of GC power, a normally unpredictable race heads into uncharted territory &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PqHdCxLqcsCG3j55wRKHd8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s a sad way to end it&#8217; &#8211; exit of Tadej Poga\u010dar sparks wave of sympathy and regret in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xaPhNZ65Eb5A24MN8pQZC8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar could win the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a by 10 minutes but total domination is unlikely \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since 2024, in fact, the number of races that Poga\u010dar wanted to win and didn&#8217;t can literally be counted on the fingers of one hand. And as for the ones he did conquer, from the Tour de France and the Tour of Flanders to the Tre Valli Varesine, the list has been almost endless. At the same time, since his heavy fall in Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge of 2023, breaking his wrist, and the loss of the Tour de France that followed, the setbacks have been minimal, and essentially have served as reminders of his crushing superiority in every race he started.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Yes, he took six starts to win Milan-Sanremo this year, and his goal of winning Paris-Roubaix remains &#8211; after two attempts &#8211; still on the agenda. But there was that crash in Sanremo this year, too, and he still got back up and won. Equally, as soon as he announced he was taking part in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, the only question, realistically, was who would be finishing second and how quickly he would put the GC out of reach.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RVAE65bCnd9kEv7UpkqSF8 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s aura of invulnerability has increased exponentially with each triumph, even if the real reason for his success is due to a huge number of factors, with his own dedication to the sport and the sheer hard graft of training, as well as the constantly rising level of performance across the board of his entire team, not least amongst them.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The answer regarding the speed of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s rise to the top in the Vuelta seemed to have been reached at Andorra, which he ended with an advantage of over three minutes and a leader&#8217;s jersey that, for all the media speculation about possibly &#8216;loaning&#8217; it to another team to ease the pressure on his squad for a while, seemed increasingly unrealistic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even the unexpected arrival of rival Movistar\u2019s Enric Mas on the summit of Puerto de El Bartolo on stage 6 alongside Poga\u010dar seemed anecdotal, given how easily the Slovenian shrugged off the opposition, almost without trying, 24 hours later on the ascent to Aram\u00f3n Valdelinares.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UKZMpRpti7HwnURtBmSRWd-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">\u2018Right now we have to be with Tadej the person&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG management prioritize Poga\u010dar&#8217;s recovery after Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader crashes out of race<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With that in mind, if we look at it in sporting terms, the sudden exit of the world&#8217;s number 1 from the Vuelta carries far more impact than any &#8216;normal&#8217; abandon by the other top names. Following his crash out, UAE are rightly prioritising the rider&#8217;s health and wellbeing above any other considerations. But for the race, the Poga\u010dar-shaped power vacuum that so abruptly appeared when he finally had to admit he could not continue and clamber into the ambulance is one with massive consequences for the Vuelta too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Historically, too, for a rider to be dominating a Grand Tour on the level Poga\u010dar was doing at the Vuelta and then to crash out is, fortunately, a real rarity. There was the case of Chris Froome in the 2014 Tour, where the Briton was defending champion and standout favourite, but when Froome abandoned after falling on the Roubaix cobbled stage, he wasn&#8217;t in yellow and certainly hadn&#8217;t shown the degree of domination Poga\u010dar has displayed since day 1 of the Vuelta.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Possibly the closest in a Grand Tour would be much further back, in 1971, when race leader Luis Oca\u00f1a had an advantage of over five minutes on Eddy Merckx and looked set to end the Belgian&#8217;s stranglehold on Grand Tours. But a sudden fall on the rain-soaked Col de Ment\u00e9, just when Merckx was on the point of admitting defeat (and had reportedly already done so to Oca\u00f1a), upended the race completely, as Oca\u00f1a abandoned.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Comparisons between cycling&#8217;s eras don&#8217;t really work out, but on one level at least, we are now in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, but not with a non-conformist, erratically brilliant racer like Oca\u00f1a, but with the Eddy Merckx of modern-day bike racing himself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As Larry Warbasse sagely put it after the finish of stage 8, the Vuelta GC has suddenly been flung wide open following the absence of the number 1 favourite to win it, but at the same time, as he said, absolutely nobody wanted to see Poga\u010dar leave like this.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Either way, Sunday morning&#8217;s start of the Vuelta will see the race move into a very different kind of terrain to 24 hours earlier. And whoever stands the tallest on the winner&#8217;s podium in Granada on the evening of September 13, the reminder that nobody, not even Poga\u010dar, can avoid cycling&#8217;s unpredictable edge will endure regardless, for a long time to come.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2309ef7e-a3f1-11f1-b3fe-9ff46728db29\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/tadej-pogacars-brutally-unexpected-exit-from-the-vuelta-a-espana-is-a-massive-reminder-of-cyclings-intrinsic-unpredictability-analysis\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Cq65C5LcwfKdc25r5jnHh-2100-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 &#8216;We don&#8217;t know if he was racing at 100%&#8217; \u2013 Rival sports director believes Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader Poga\u010dar&#8217;s failure to finish solo on stage 6 delivers mixed messages 2 Tadej Poga\u010dar suffers neck fracture and concussion in crash that ends his Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 3 &#8216;It&#8217;s a sad way to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2118951","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118951","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2118951"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118951\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2118951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2118951"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2118951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}