Tadej Pogacar posts hospital photo after Vuelta crash

Tadej Pogacar shared a photograph from a hospital bed after crashing during the eighth stage of the Vuelta a España in Xeraco on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Slovenian, a five-time Tour de France winner, had been the clear leader of the race until the fall, holding a 3min 50sec advantage a week into the Vuelta as he chased what the report described as a career clean sweep of the three Grand Tours; he is awaiting surgery on his collarbone.

The Instagram post showed Pogacar wearing a neck brace and with a plaster near his right eyebrow and on his right hand; he held that hand in his customary gesture, raising his index finger and little finger, and the image was accompanied by the Bee Gees' song "Stayin' Alive," with the rider appearing in good spirits.

Pogacar crashed on Saturday during the eighth stage, just over 30km from the finish line in the Valencian town of Xeraco, on a stage that had been expected to be transitional.

According to the medical report provided by his team, Pogacar was "diagnosed with a concussion, displaced left clavicle fracture, a stable C7 cervical fracture, and multiple abrasions". UAE's statement added that there were "fortunately, no other major injuries and no neurological fallout". The team has not specified how long Pogacar will be out of action, but it seems unlikely he will be fit to defend his world title in late September in Canada.

The race continues on Sunday with a 187.5km mountainous ride from Villajoyosa to a summit finish at Alto de Aitana.

Stage nine is followed by a rest day on Monday; this report will update after stage nine of the Vuelta.