MADRID, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Primoz Roglic from the Jumbo Visma cycling team has been forced to abandon the Vuelta a Espana cycling race on Wednesday after suffering a heavy fall at the end of the 16th stage of the race on Tuesday.
The winner of the past three editions, who was second in the overall standings, a minute and 26 seconds behind overall leader, Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), suffered the fall in the final straight toward the finish line in Tomares.
He had launched an audacious attack to try to further cut Evenepoel's lead in the last five kilometers and was on track to do just that when contact with Fred Wright saw him crash heavily.
Although he was able to ride slowly over the line, TV images then showed Roglic bleeding from his hip, shoulder and right knee.
His team reported on Tuesday that "[medical] investigations for today have been carried out. Tomorrow morning, the team will decide in consultation with the medical doctor whether Primoz will continue his fight."
However, on Wednesday they confirmed he would have to pull out of the race, which finishes in Madrid on Sunday.
"Unfortunately, Roglic will not be at the start of Stage 17 as a consequence of yesterday's crash. Get well soon, champion! Thank you for all the beautiful moments in this Vuelta," posted Jumbo Visma on social media.
Roglic had also had to pull out of the Tour de France this year after hurting his back in a fall.
The Slovenian's withdrawal leaves Evenepoel, who on Tuesday made a point of going to see Roglic after the accident to see how he was, with a lead of 2 minutes and one second over Enric Mas (Movistar), who moved into second place, while 19-year-old Juan Ayuso (Team UAE Emirates) moves into third place, 4 minutes and 49 seconds behind Evenepoel. ■
