Nicolas Roche out of Vuelta a España with cuts and bruises: This is one of the biggest disappointments I’ve had in my career
Aug 30 2019 02:15 am CET

© Team Sunweb
Nicolas Roche (Sunweb) has to abandon the Vuelta a España after suffering a crash in the sixth stage of the race, just after the 100-kilometre mark.
The Irishman wore the Red Jersey of the race for three stages and lost it in the fifth stage of the grand tour. During the sixth day of competition, there was a big crash that involved him and forced him out of the race with several injuries, none of them severe as further examinations revealed.
Roche had to get a dozen stitches to his forearm and has road rash and bruised quadriceps. "There’s not much to say," he said. "I think this is one of the biggest disappointments I’ve had in my career. I’d worked so hard to get back to this level and it was a new opportunity to show that I was at this level again.
"There’s nothing broken which is the good point. I have some stitches in my forearm and pain in my quadriceps which is why I could not continue."
Team doctor Camiel Aldershof explained further the extent of Roche's injuries. "First analysis showed no major injuries, fortunately," he explained. "However he did require 10-12 stitches on his left forearm and has a bruised right quadricep which will be managed by a compression bandage. Nico will get further checks when he’s home to ensure there are no other issues."
Nicolas Roche out of Vuelta a España with cuts and bruises: This is one of the biggest disappointments I’ve had in my career https://t.co/rGSZ8MxZi5 |@TeamSunweb @nicholasroche @lavuelta#LaVuelta19
— CyclingPub (@CyclingPub) August 29, 2019
?© Mary Cardenas/CyclingPub pic.twitter.com/61qxVbLr02