XERACO (REUTERS)

Vuelta a Espana leader Tadej Pogacar abandoned the race on Saturday ​after a crash during stage eight left the five-time Tour de France winner with ⁠blood on his face and an injured ​shoulder.

Slovenian Pogacar, who has been ​wearing ‌the red jersey since ⁠winning ​the first stage, went down in the peloton with just over 30 kilometres left in the ride ‌from Pucol to Xeraco.

The 27-year-old tried to ‌get back on his bike after receiving medical attention, but was unable ​to resume the ride. He later walked into an ambulance.

"Sadly Tadej Pogacar has been forced out... following a crash on stage eight," ‌UAE Team Emirates-XRG posted ​on X, confirming their rider's withdrawal.

Pogacar, who won his fifth Tour de France last month and had ​won the ‌Giro ⁠d'Italia ‌in 2024, was ‌aiming for his first overall victory in the Vuelta to ⁠become the ninth rider to win ​all three European Grand Tours.

He began the stage with a lead of three minutes and 50 seconds over second-placed Enric Mas.