Peter Sagan out of Vuelta a Espana after motorbike crash

Peter Sagan has withdrawn from the Vuelta a Espana after he was hit by a motorbike and his Tinkoff-Saxo team are considering legal action against those responsible for his injuries.

The 26-year-old was struck just 8.2km from the end of the 182.5km ride between Puebla de Don Fadrique and Murica.

He sustained what his team have described as 'extensive superficial wounds' in the eighth stage of a race in which he had been wearing the green jersey.

Alejandro Valverde is now in possession of that after Sagan finished almost five and a half minutes behind stage winner Jasper Stuyven.

His bid to follow up four consecutive points classification victories in the Tour de France with his first in Spain is therefore over and his team intends to take action.

Slovakian Sagan's frustration after the incident was clear as he punched a team car and kicked his own bike.

A statement on Saturday night from Tinkoff-Saxo revealed they were considering legal action before another on Sunday morning confirmed Sagan was not fit to continue.

The first communication read: "The reckless collision caused Sagan to crash at speed effectively ending his chances on the stage, while causing extensive superficial wounds.

"Tinkoff-Saxo announces after stage eight of Vuelta a España that the team considers legal actions against the person or persons responsible for crashing into Peter Sagan.

"A Shimano auxiliary motorbike recklessly and dangerously drove into the peloton at high speed hitting Peter Sagan in his rear wheel.

"The unacceptable collision caused Peter Sagan to crash and left the rider with extensive superficial wounds on the left buttocks and leg.

"Tinkoff-Saxo believes that such accidents caused by reckless human error, regardless of whether they affect Tinkoff-Saxo's riders or riders of other teams, are unacceptable at the top level of the sport of cycling.

"Peter Sagan was wearing the green jersey, he had won one stage, was set to target the stage win of today, while being in serious contention for later stage wins.

"Tinkoff-Saxo finds it intolerable that an incident like today's can occur and potentially send the ambitions of a rider and a full season of planning astray."

The second statement added: "Unfortunately, the team's co-leader at the Vuelta a España cannot safely continue to race and will instead return home to recover from the injuries he suffered.

"Sagan suffered wounds and burns of first and second degree on the left side of his body, from the hip to the lower leg.

"In addition, he has a contusion on his left forearm with an intra-muscular hematoma. The team doctor, together with the sport directors at the Vuelta, decided that Sagan cannot safely continue the race with the injuries he suffered.

"The entire Tinkoff-Saxo team is disappointed and upset that Sagan's participation in the race comes to such an abrupt end.

"The Vuelta a España is one of the season's most important races and both Sagan and the team had high expectations."