The race has barely started before the Vuelta a Espana has lost one of its main actors. Vincenzo Nibali has been disqualified from the race after getting too much assistance from his team car in today's stage.

Nibali was involved in a crash with 30km to go and with the help of his teammates, he managed to bridge a 90-second gap. However, video has now revealed that he held onto his team car that was piloted by sports director Alexander Shefer. 

The commissaires have taken the decision to disqualify the 2010 champion and his sports director. The team will also have to do with just one car during the next two stages.