Ares del Maestrat (Spain) (AFP)
Several riders including the Irishman Nicolas Roche (Sunweb), former leader of the event, and the Colombian Rigoberto Uran (Education First) gave up after a massive crash at the 6th stage of the Tour of Spain.
Roche, still wearing the leader's red jersey on Wednesday morning, was fifth in the Vuelta standings at the start of the stage on Thursday in Mora de Rubielos in Aragon (east). He was 57 seconds behind the new leader, the Colombian Astana Miguel Ángel López.
Sixth overall in 59 seconds of 'Superman' Lopez and one of the favorites for the final victory, Rigoberto Uran also threw in the towel following the crash which took place in a corner at kilometer 105, some 95 kilometers from the arrival to Ares del Maestrat in the Valencian community (east).
Uran's teammate from Education First, Hugh Carthy, and Spaniard Víctor de la Parte (CCC) also left the event.
© 2019 AFP