Pogacar posts selfie on social media after Vuelta-ending crash

Tadej Pogacar, who was forced to withdraw from the Vuelta a Espana following a heavy fall, on Sunday shared a photo of himself from hospital accompanied by the Bee Gees' song 'Stayin' Alive'.

Pogacar, the clear leader of La Vuelta until his crash, greeted his followers on his Instagram account with a photo showing him in a hospital bed wearing a neck brace.

The Slovenian five-time Tour de France winner can also be seen with a plaster near his right eyebrow, as well as on his right hand, which he held in his usual gesture of raising his index finger and little finger.

The UAE Team Emirates rider sound-tracked the photo with the 1977 upbeat disco anthem, appearing to be in good spirits as he awaits surgery on his collarbone.

Pogacar crashed on Saturday during the eighth stage of the Vuelta a Espana, just over 30 kilometres from the finish line in the Valencian town of Xeraco, a stage that was initially expected to be transitional.

The 27-year-old had been leading by a massive three minutes and 50 seconds a week into the race and was the overwhelming favourite for victory in his bid to complete a career clean sweep of the three Grand Tours.

According to the medical report provided by his team, Pogacar, who was aiming to win the 21-day race for the first time, 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.