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Dani Ostanek

'I would like it to be a rest day' – Tadej Pogačar's teammate battling on with a cracked rib at the Vuelta a España

VALL D'ALBA, SPAIN - AUGUST 28: (L-R) Kevin Vermaerke of United States and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates XRG - Red Leader Jersey prior to the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 7 a 149.48m stage from Vall d'Alba to Aramon Valdelinares 1965m / #UCIWT / on August 28, 2026 in Vall d'Alba, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images).

American rider Kevin Vermaerke inadvertently revealed that he's racing with cracked ribs during Friday's seventh stage of the Vuelta a España, talking about his injury with the UAE Team Emirates-XRG team car as a television moto lingered close by.

The 25-year-old is part of Tadej Pogačar's support squad in Spain as the Slovenian fights to add the red jersey to his palmarès, but he's fighting a personal battle during this final Grand Tour of the season.

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