Movistar's Castroviejo fractures vertebra and arm in crash after final Tour of Algarve stage

With Adriano Malori in hospital recovering from a crash at the Tour de San Luis, the Movistar team were dealt another blow when fellow time trial specialist Jonathan Castroviejo crashed after the end of the final stage at the Volta ao Algarve.

Having finished the stage atop Alto do Malhao, Castroviejo rode back down the hill to the team bus, but suffered a nasty crash on the descent.

According to the Movistar website, a spectator moved into his path as he descended, causing him to crash. The Basque rider was taken to the hospital in Faro with pain in his neck and left arm, which were later diagnosed as fractures.

It had been a successful race for Castroviejo, having finished sixth in the stage three time trial where Movistar riders secured fourth to seventh place.

Castroviejo will remain in Portugal until his injuries are fully assessed, with the possibility of being transferred back to his native Spain.