WATCH: Footage shows horrendous crash that saw Tony Martin abandon La Vuelta
Movistar apologise for taking advantage of the situation which saw them ride full gas for 15kms
Footage has emerged from a fan showing the horrendous crash that unfolded on Stage 19 of the La Vuelta with 60 kilometres to go. On a narrow downhill bend that was wet a rider slides out and brings down other riders. The scenes are harrowing as several riders collide, some hitting the outside concrete wall.
Jumbo-Visma's Tony Martin, one of Roglic’s key lieutenants, was forced to abandon with gruesome pictures of injuries sustained in the crash emerging in the aftermath.
Movistar Team issued an apology on social media for the behaviour that it showed during the 19th stage of the Vuelta a España. The Spanish team launched an attack just after half of the peloton was lying on the ground due to crash.
It managed to create a huge gap that left GC contenders like Primoz Roglic, Miguel Ángel López and Tadej Pogacar way behind, being paced back up by Team Astana, who dropped back and time trialled in a desperate attempt to bridge back up.
After 15 kms Alejandro Valverde signalled to the Movistart team to slow down, who then got confronted by riders like Omar Fraile. Team Astana showed their anger with the Spanish team at the end of the stage.
Hours afterwards, the Spanish team decided to issue an apology "Movistar Team would like to apologise for the events that happened during today's stage of La Vuelta, our way of proceeding followed exclusively the strategy we had outlined before the race and was in no way a try of taking advantage of our rivals' crash."
"We wish that events like those which happened in the race today help us reach, for the benefit of all, a sole set of criteria, both for teams and race commissaries, on how to proceed when such situations arise."
VIDEO: Stage 19 La Vuelta Crash
Footage of today’s crash at #LaVuelta19
— FloBikes (@flobikes) September 13, 2019
(Via miguelo23_/IG) pic.twitter.com/1Er8Vqx8DU
VIDEO: Stage 19 La Vuelta Crash
No se quejan, no ponen excusas… siempre cumpliendo con su deber en carrera, motivo de peso suficiente para levantarte y seguir. Bravo ????????.#Lavuelta19 @lavuelta pic.twitter.com/3bHwloHqRN
— Juanan | Entrenador (@TrainerwebCoach) September 13, 2019