Pogacar appeared to have caused his own crash on a straight stretch of road a good 30 kilometres from the finish. Video footage did not fully clarify what triggered the accident. The 27-year-old tried several times to get back on his feet and remount his bike, but was unable to stay upright unaided. The man in the red jersey was bleeding from his eye and left shoulder before receiving first aid and being taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital.

This gives the Vuelta a completely new character. Whilst up until now all the other general classification contenders had been fighting for second place, a Grand Tour title – which had seemed out of reach – is suddenly a possibility again for several professionals. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) is leading a Grand Tour for the first time in his long career. Although the 31-year-old Spaniard has already finished the Vuelta three times in second place and eight times in the top six, he has never before managed to wear the red jersey – or, in earlier years, the golden jersey – for even a single day. Given the circumstances at the podium ceremony, he did not wish to wear it.

A first for Coquard

Mas now heads into the remaining stages with a lead of exactly one minute over Primož Roglič (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) and a further eleven seconds over Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM), ahead of a gruelling mountain finish tomorrow before the first rest day.

Meanwhile, after 171 kilometres from Puçol to Xeraco, Coquard also achieved a first. This was his maiden victory in a Grand Tour – and at the age of 34. The 56th win of his career is also his most significant. “I’ve often finished second in the Grand Tours. Now I’m 34 years old and very proud and happy,” said Coquard, who thanked his team and, above all, his sole lead-out man, Alexis Renard. “He dropped me off exactly where I needed to be. And my experience helped me too.”

Matthew Brennan (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), the top favourite for the stage win, was caught up in the final and was unable to make a move. He was also lucky not to have been caught up in the mass crash behind him, which sent several riders crashing heavily to the ground. The whole day was marred by numerous crashes.

With Pogacar’s withdrawal, it is not just the Red Jersey that is changing hands. Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility), yesterday’s stage winner, is the new holder of the mountains jersey. Wout van Aert, however, remains the leader in the points classification, whilst Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS) is the best young rider.

2026 Vuelta a España – Results of Stage 8

Here’s how Stage 8 of the 2026 Vuelta a España unfolded

After a crash involving ten riders during the neutralised phase of the race delayed the sharp start slightly, it was Sinuhé Fernández (Burgos Burpellet BH) who set off on his own. That said, the peloton was generous and allowed the Spaniard a maximum lead of almost six minutes.

Shortly before the decisive phase, featuring an intermediate sprint and a mountain classification, the breakaway rider was caught. Van Aert was able to claim the points at the sprint without much resistance. Then, just before the approach to the mountain classification, it happened: Pogacar crashed through his own fault and was forced to abandon the race with bleeding wounds to his eye and shoulder.

On the climb, the peloton then proceeded at a more measured pace, as it was unclear whether the Slovenian would be able to get back on his bike. Only then did the professionals resume the race. Xabier Mikel Azparren (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) attempted a solo attack. He battled his way to 1,500 metres from the finish, where the fast-approaching peloton caught him and launched the sprint, which Coquard ultimately won.