Tadej Pogacar's crash and withdrawal have created great upheaval in the cycling world and have reopened the door to potential surprises in the Spanish competition. Not only that, but also to a season finale in which the Slovenian was aiming to be a protagonist with the World Championships in Canada, the European Championships in his native Slovenia, and the Lombardia. But is Pogacar's season truly over, or are there possibilities of seeing him race again?

Pogacar suffered a crash that resulted in two significant injuries. The fracture to his left collarbone: this injury is considered more serious, as it is a displaced fracture that will require surgery and a longer recovery period.

The C7 cervical fracture: although not displaced, this fracture will require treatment with an orthopedic collar and a recovery period of at least six weeks.

The impact with the asphalt was severe and, while the stitches above his eyebrow should not affect recovery, the collarbone situation is more complex. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow and only after its completion will it be possible to outline a clearer picture regarding Pogacar's recovery.

The collarbone fracture is common in cycling and many riders, such as Jasper Philipsen, have demonstrated that it is possible to return to form in relatively short timeframes. However, the concussion suffered by Pogacar has complicated the situation, as the rider will need to undergo neurological observation before a procedure that is usually performed within a few hours of the crash. For recovery from the collarbone fracture: generally, it takes approximately 4-6 weeks to return to competition.

On paper, six weeks brings us just in time to the Lombardia, effectively ruling out the World Championships and European Championships. And UAE Emirates XRG, while expressing optimism, is making no predictions but emphasizes that the athlete's health comes first.

Pogacar has demonstrated very short recovery times in the past, and his determination could play a crucial role, but the Slovenian's situation is delicate and requires careful post-operative monitoring. Only after the surgery will there be a clearer picture regarding recovery times and his possible participation in new races in this final stretch of the season.