Race leader Pogacar exits Vuelta following crash

Race leader Tadej Pogacar has abandoned the Vuelta a Espana after crashing during stage eight.

The world champion, who was looking to complete a full set of Grand Tour victories, crashed with about 33km to go.

Pogacar, 27, was riding in the midst of the peloton when he came off his bike, hurting his left shoulder and cutting the left side of his face.

The Slovenian appeared to try and get back on his bike before sitting back down again.

He then walked unaided into an ambulance to mark the first time he has abandoned a Grand Tour.

The overwhelming favourite to win the three-week long race had started the stage three minutes and 50 seconds clear of Spaniard Enric Mas in second place.

Six-time Grand Tour winner Pogacar was on course to win all three of the sport's biggest stage races, having already won five Tours de France and a Giro d'Italia.

Having become the joint most successful Tour de France champion of all time last month, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider is aiming to become the ninth rider to win all three Grand Tours.

Pogacar has also won almost all of the sport's biggest races. In addition to his multiple stage race victories, the two-time road world champion has won 13 one-day monument races, including the Tour of Flanders (three times), Milan-San Remo (once), Il Lombardia (five times) and Liege-Bastogne-Liege (four times).

In 2025, he recorded his best finish of second in the other monument - Paris-Roubaix.

Liverpool have agreed a fee with Paris St-Germain worth up to £123m for Bradley Barcola. What will he bring to Andoni Iraola's side? BBC Sport explains.

The smell of cannabis continues to be raised by players at the US Open. Smoking is not permitted on site, so what's going on? BBC Sport explains.

Lando Norris has signed a contract extension keeping him at McLaren until at least the end of 2030. He tells BBC Sport the decision was 'one of the easiest' he's made since being in Formula 1.

Frank Lampard and Tom Grennan speak about how "special" the atmosphere is at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Crystal Palace are playing in their new white strip at their first home game of the Premier League season, against Manchester City. Traditionally, the Eagles have worn a blue and red strip. So, why the change?

British heavyweight Moses Itauma pushed Filip Hrgovic off the stage before the Croat slapped him as chaos erupted at the weigh-in for Saturday's world-title bout.

Nigel Reo-Coker says Florian Wirtz is the weak link in Liverpool's midfield

Sabah manager Valdas Dambrauskas talks about his appearance on the Lithuanian version of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire', saying it was a "big help for me to come to England" and start his coaching career.