Rigoberto Uran crashes out of Vuelta a España on Stage 6

On the day of the 2019 Vuelta a España’s second summit/uphill finish, Rigoberto Uran was the biggest name of those who had to abandon Thursday’s contest after a huge pile-up in the peloton. Uran headed to the hospital with a suspected broken collarbone following his second Grand Tour DNF in two seasons. Astana was content to let the red jersey switch from their man Angel Lopez to one of the breakaways, Dylan Teuns of Bahrain-Merida.

The Course

The almost 200-km from Mora del Rubielos to Ares del Maestart was over hilly roads. Thursday’s summit finish was a Cat. 3 climb, 7.7 km of 5.3 percent.

It's the second of three consecutive finishes at #LaVuelta19, coming at the end of the 198.9km-long stage 6 to Ares del Maestrat. pic.twitter.com/gNYkWfYbg5

— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) August 29, 2019

The Crash

Just past the midway point, and with an eleven rider breakaway far up the road, the pile-up involved riders from EF Education First, Deceuninck-Quick Step, CCC, Lotto-Soudal and Sunweb. The carnage was especially tough on EF Education First

Rigoberto Urán and Hugh Carthy have abandoned the @lavuelta due to a large crash on stage 6. They are currently on their way to the hospital where they will receive further medical evaluation. Further updates announced in due course #LaVuelta19

— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) August 29, 2019

Ufff

— Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) August 29, 2019

Not only did EF Education First lose two riders, but Nicolas Roche, who wore the red jersey for two stages, also was forced from the race.

Unfortunately as a result of that crash, @nicholasroche has been forced to abandon #LaVuelta19??. Updates to follow as we have them. pic.twitter.com/poNiTK2y0i

— Team Sunweb (@TeamSunweb) August 29, 2019

Along with fifth place Roche and sixth place Uran, 13th place Victor de la Place had to drop out from crash injuries.

Red Jersey Switching Shoulders?

There were two riders in the escape who could have taken the red jersey from Angel “Superman” Lopez: Ineos’ David de la Cruz and Dylan Teuns. On the penultimate categorized climb, Ethiopian Tsgabu Grmay of Mitchelton-Scott bolted on his breakmates. Another EF Education First rider, Tejay van Garderen, crashed heavily on the descent.

We can confirm that Tejay van Garderen remains in @lavuelta following his crash out of the breakaway. We will share additional details about his crash and injuries following today’s stage six. #LaVuelta19

— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) August 29, 2019

By the final climb, Movistar’s Portuguese riders Nelson Oliviera had bridged over to Grmay. More riders came over midway through the ascent. Teuns and Jesus Herrada, brother of José who was third on Wednesday, took over the lead. Teuns couldn’t respond to Herrada’s finishing kick, so for the second consecutive stage, there was a wildcard team winner.

The summit finishes just keep coming: Friday it’s the Cat. 1 Alto Mas de la Costa at 4.1 km of a knee-busting 12.1 percent.

2019 Vuelta a España Stage 6
1) Jesus Herrada (Spain/Cofidis) 4:43:55
2) Dylan Teuns (Belgium/Bahrain-Merida) +0:07
3) Dorian Godon (France/AG2R) +0:27

2019 Vuelta a España GC
1) Dylan Teuns (Belgium/Bahrain-Merida)
2) David de la Cruz (Spain/Ineos) +0:38
3) Angel Lopez (Colombia/Astana) +1:00