While fighting for an advantageous position in the breakaway group, Sagan was hit by a motorbike and fell to the ground in a high-speed crash. Sagan suffered wounds and burns of first and second degree on the left side of his body, specifically from the hip to the lower leg.

 

Additionally, Sagan sustained a contusion on his left forearm, involving an intra-muscular hematoma. Working in conjunction with the Vuelta a Espana sports directors, the Tinkoff-Saxo team doctor decided Sagan cannot safely continue the race with the injuries he suffered. As a result of this decision, Sagan will return to his home as soon as possible to recover in time for the 2015 UCI Road World Championships in Richmond, USA.

 

According to a team spokesman, the entire Tinkoff-Saxo team is disappointed and upset that Sagan's participation in the race has come to such an abrupt conclusion. The Vuelta a España is one of the season's most important races and both Sagan and the team had great expectations for the race. Sagan was wearing the green points jersey and had won one Vuelta stage, before leaving the race.

 

Despite the significant loss, the Tinkoff-Saxo team will keep its remaining goals intact and the remaining members of the team's Vuelta roster will support team leader Rafal Majka in his fight for stage wins in the mountain stages to come - and assist him in obtaining a remarkable general classification result.