Team Sky's Vuelta a España leader Michal Kwiatkowski has vowed to press on in the race after he was brought down in a crash on the road to the formidable Lagos de Covadonga climb.
The Polish national champion went down 25km from the finish line during stage 15 of last Grand Tour of the season, after AG2R La Mondiale's Alexandre Geniez hit the deck in front.
Kwiatkowski has been given the rare opportunity of leading the British team in a three-week race, but his efforts have been hindered by bad luck.
Posting on Twitter after Sunday's stage, the 28-year-old said: "Unfortunately there was no chance to react, when Alex Geniez fell just in the front of me.
"I'm fine and hope that he is as well. Fingers crossed for the bad luck to be over this season."
Sky confirmed their mountain domestique-turned leader was involved in the stage 15 crash after a touch of wheels in the peloton.
The Sky all-rounder is still bandaged after a crash near the final of stage seven in this Vuelta, when he and teammates Sergio Henao and Tao Geoghegan Hart all came down on a descent.
Kwiatkowski is well out of GC contention, 23 minutes behind British leader Simon Yates and currently in 73rd place heading into the final rest day.
Sky's first rider across the line was Colombian Sergio Henao in 21st place, followed by David de la Cruz nine seconds later in 27th.
Kwiatkowski's fall from the overall top 10 has left him free to be more active in the race.
On stage 14, he rode out front for most of the 171km stage as part of a six-man breakaway.
The gamble resulted in the Pole losing time and slipping back to 20th position.
Riders now face a 32km time trial on the back of the rest day when the Vuelta returns on Tuesday.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Belgian sets new World Record by riding 3,619km in a week
Matthieu Bonne staged his attempt in Arizona desert
-
Specialized's radical frame design breaks cover and it's not on the bike we expected
The distinctive 'compliance junction' feature is matched with FutureShock suspension and generous tire clearances on the Sirrus Carbon flat-bar bike
-
Tom Pidcock: 'It won’t be difficult to beat my 2022 Classics results'
Ineos Grenadiers' multi-format star ready for central role in one-day racing this Spring
-
No Egan Bernal at Paris-Nice as knee injury disrupts season
Former Tour de France champion "OK" but return is unknown at the moment
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
