The nasty crash that blighted yesterday’s stage at the Vuelta a Espana has forced another retirement. Having fallen hard on his pelvis, Bora-Hansgrohe’s Davide Formolo has been unable to start today’s stage.
Before Stage 6, he had been sitting in 12th place overall, 1:58' behind the current race leader, Dylan Teuns. Following the crash, Formolo lost over 12 minutes struggling in behind the main bunch.
He now joins Rigoberto Urán and Hugh Carthy of Education First, both of whom broke their collarbones, along with former race leader Nicolas Roche and CCC Team’s Victor de la Parte in leaving the race.
Stage 3 had already seen Bora-Hansgrohe’s Gregor Mühlberger retire, having been unable to find the necessary form to continue in the race following an arduous season.
Formerly Bora-Hansgrohe’s second-best placed rider, Formolo’s retirement means the team’s General Classification hopes now rest solely with Rafal Majka who is currently in 9th place overall at 2:18 down on red.