Tadej Pogacar says he’s glad to be alive after crash left him with three broken vertebrae

The crash happened at the end of August, and a few days later Pogacar underwent surgery for a fracture in the lowest vertebra of his cervical spine.

A new X-ray was taken just over two weeks ago, revealing that the 28-year-old also had fractures in the next two vertebrae in his thoracic spine.

Now Pogacar, who has won the Tour de France five times and two World Championship gold medals, is on his way back.

“I have to be careful not to crash on the bike or do any heavy lifting with my left arm or neck. But in principle, I can do everything as usual now,” he says.