Peter Sagan out of Vuelta a España after motorcycle collision
Tinkoff-Saxo criticise "reckless auxiliary motorbike" after Slovak star is forced to withdraw from the season's final Grand Tour

Peter Sagan after a crash on stage eight of the 2015 Tour of Spain
Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) has withdrawn from the Vuelta a España after sustaining injuries from a collision with a motorbike on stage eight.
In a strongly worded statement ahead of the start of stage nine, Tinkoff-Saxo said that Sagan "was hit by a reckless auxiliary motorcycle" and would be unable to continue.
The accident came in the final kilometres of stage eight. Sagan suffered wounds and burns of the first and second degree on the left side of his body, as well as a contusion on his left forearm.
According to Tinkoff-Saxo's statement, "The team doctor, together with the sports directors at the Vuelta, decided that Sagan cannot safely continue the race with the injuries he suffered. As a result, he will fly back home as soon as possible."
After the stage, Sagan said, “I didn't even hear the motorbike coming. I find it unacceptable that a motorbike tries to weave its way into the group at such high speed.
"They accelerate and try to sneak in when they see an empty space. However, they don’t take into consideration that a rider might fall in front of them or change direction. They go extremely fast and the difference of speed compared to the riders is enormous.”
Sagan reacted angrily to the incident, and was later fined for abusive language.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“Last but not least, I go back to the team hotel and I read I was fined 300 francs for insults and threats as well as behavior that damages the image of cycling," said Sagan. "I will, obviously, pay it but I consider it unjust."
Stage eight of the Vuelta was marred with crashes. Kris Boeckmans (Lotto-Soudal) is in a medically induced coma after hitting a pot-hole while drinking from his bidon. He suffered serious facial trauma, with several fractures, as well as concussion, three broken ribs, and bleeding in his lung.
Boeckmans's crash also affected several other riders. Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing), Dan Martin (Cannondale-Garmin) and Nacer Bouhanni (Confidis) sustained injuries in the same incident, and were also forced to retire from the race.
Stage eight was won by Jasper Stuyven (Trek Factory Racing), while Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge) holds the overall lead.
Thank you for reading 20 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
-
Mathieu van der Poel to skip road World Championships to target mountain bike title
2023 world champion confirmed to ride Tour de France in search of stage victories
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We're not at all giving up the ghost, we will be back' - Organiser of major British race vows event will return after brief hiatus
Brian Cookson explains decision to pause Lancaster Grand Prix for a year as organising committee eye 2026 return
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Peter Sagan finishes second in last ever professional race
Former three time road world champion was the runner up in the Slovakian national MTB championships on Sunday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It's a miracle': The inside story of how Peter Sagan ended up on a team called Pierre Baguette
Six years after the dream first took root, Boris Horváth finally has Peter Sagan on his team
By Tom Davidson Published
-