Samuel Sanchez was dealt a blow in today's stage of the Vuelta a Espana when a motobike ran over Steve Morabito after a crash. The key domestique was forced to abandon the race before the captain defended himself well on the final climb.

Samuel Sánchez of the BMC Racing Team continued his climb up the standings at the Vuelta a España with seventh place on Wednesday's summit finish to move from seventh to sixth overall. 

On a day when Sánchez lost teammate Steve Morabito to injuries suffered in a crash, the past Olympic road race champion kept pace with a select group chasing solo stage winner Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team). But within sight of the finish line, Sánchez was unable to contest a sprint between the five riders ahead of him on the general classification: race leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team), Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), Christopher Froome (Team Sky) and Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha Team).

"My goal before the start in Jerez was to fight in the first positions of the GC in the second part of the Vuelta and here we are," Sánchez said after arriving 15 seconds after Aru and nine seconds after all but Uran, who finished two seconds ahead of him. "I feel good, but I also have to hope that someone ahead of me fails on some of the remaining stages."

Contador kept the overall lead, 20 seconds ahead of Valverde, while Sánchez is 1:52 back.

Morabito was unable to continue after being run over by at least one race motorbike when a large pile-up happened 25 kilometers into the 153.4-km race.

"I don't understand what happened," Morabito said. "I had some riders coming from my right side and a few seconds later the motorbikes ran over me when I was on the ground. It was pretty painful."

BMC Racing Team Doctor Scott Major said Morabito has a deep hematoma over the head of the femur on his right hip, road rash and bruises to his ribs on his back.

"Fortunately, nothing is broken," Dr. Major said. "His shoulder was also dislocated, but he was able to relocate it out on the road."

Three other riders had to withdraw from the race due to injuries from the same crash, including past race leader Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team).

"Steve is an important guy for the team that we lose," BMC Racing Team Sport Director Valerio Piva said.