The 81. Vuelta, in which he had already celebrated three stage victories and convincingly worn the red leader’s jersey, came to an early and painful end for Tadej. He suffered a nasty crash 33 kilometers from the finish of the flat 8th stage in Xeraco.
He tried to continue the race, but the pain was too severe. With an injured left shoulder and cuts above his eye, he was taken to an ambulance.
This was Tadej’s first withdrawal in ten appearances in three-week races and his first withdrawal after the 2023 Liège-Bastogne-Liège race, in which he broke his wrist in a crash.
»Unfortunately, Tadej suffered a heavy crash during today’s stage and was unable to continue the race. He is stable, and following a thorough medical assessment at hospital, Tadej has been diagnosed with a concussion, displaced left clavicle fracture, a stable C7 cervical fracture, and multiple abrasions. Fortunately, no other major injuries and no neurological fallout. He will require clavicle surgery which will be delayed due to concussion precautions. Tadej remains under the care of our medical team and we’ll provide further updates following the surgery,« Dr. Adrian Rotunno, Medical Director at the UAE Team Emirates-XRG told about Tadej’s injuries.