Pogacar was forced to abandon the tour after a Stage 8 crash that left him with a cervical vertebra fracture, a concussion, and a collarbone fracture.
The 27-year-old Slovenian, who attempted to complete the Grand Tour hat-trick by entering the Vuelta for the first time since 2019, confirmed on Saturday that his season has come to an end.
"Of course, this isn’t the way I wanted my season to finish. Right now, the most important thing is to recover properly and give my body the time it needs," Pogacar said on the team website.
"It has been a season with many special moments and I’m proud of what we achieved together. Now I’ll focus on getting healthy, supporting the guys from home, and coming back next year ready for what’s ahead.”
The team did not give a timeline for Pogacar's return, saying "there is no benefit in accelerating that process simply to meet a racing deadline."
Massive extension
In the same announcement, UAE Team Emirates confirmed that Pogacar had signed a six-year contract extension that ties him to the team he debuted with in pro cycling until the end of the 2032 season.
“From the beginning, this team has felt like home for me. We have grown together over the years and shared some incredible moments, so I’m very happy to extend my contract until 2032."
Pogacar is one of the most decorated riders in cycling history, having won 7 Grand Tour titles, 13 Monuments, and 33 one-day races and classics. Earlier this year, Pogacar won his third consecutive and fifth overall Tour de France.
“There is still a lot I want to achieve in this sport, and I believe this is the right place to do it. I’m very grateful for the trust the team has shown in me and excited about what we can continue to build together.”