Tinkoff-Saxo and team co-leader Peter Sagan missed out on an opportunity to make a mark on stage 8 of La Vuelta a España, as Sagan was struck by an in-race motorcycle trying to pass the main group in the stage finale. The reckless incident emphasizes the importance of rider safety, while a decision on whether Sagan will start stage 9 is yet to be made.
 
Jasper Stuyven took the win on stage 8 of La Vuelta a España in a select front group sprint. Tinkoff-Saxo had targeted the stage with Peter Sagan but dropped out of contention as Sagan was hit by a motorcycle with 8.2k to go. Following medical examinations at the team hotel, Sagan comments on the incident:
 
“Unfortunately, it isn't the first time such an incident happens. Even if motorbikes are forced to go through a group of riders, they should do it very carefully and not recklessly. In my opinion, motorbike drivers don't take the safety of the riders in consideration seriously. Fortunately, my injuries aren't very serious but can you imagine what would have happened if he had ran over me?” asks Peter Sagan before adding:
 
“If I had crashed alone or with another rider, I would have considered that to be part of the sport. However, being hit by a motorbike of the race organization shouldn't be acceptable. The safety of the riders should be an absolute priority and all vehicle drivers involved in a race must be more attentive. I really hope this incident is the start of a series of necessary changes in the way races are organized”.

A Shimano auxiliary motorbike recklessly and dangerously drove into the peloton at high speed hitting Peter Sagan in his rear wheel deep into the race finale. About the accident, Sagan explains what he experienced:
 
“There was a breakaway in front and, together with a rider from Lotto-Soudal, I was attacking to bridge the gap. Then the group reached us from behind and I was sitting in second place, while another Lotto-Soudal rider came to the front to pull. So, I attacked again to reach him, as he was about ten meters ahead. When I reached him, I signaled to him to go ahead as I was staying on his wheel. I moved to the left and at that moment a motorbike hit me. There was nothing I could do”, he says and continues:
 
“I didn't even hear the motorbike coming. I find it unacceptable that a motorbike tries to weave its way into the group at such high speed. They accelerate and try to sneak in when they see an empty space. However, they don’t take into consideration that a rider might fall in front of them or change direction. They go extremely fast and the difference of speed compared to the riders is enormous”.
 
“Last but not least, I go back to the team hotel and I read I was fined 300 francs for insults and threats as well as behavior that damages the image of cycling. I will, obviously, pay it but I consider it unjust”, underlines Peter Sagan.

Tristan Hoffman, Tinkoff-Saxo sports director, notes that he’s sad to see a dedicated team effort go down the drain on the 182.5km stage to Murcia.
 
“From the start of the day we saw possibilities with Sagan to go for the victory. It was a really tough finale but we reckoned that it suited him very well. Pavel Brutt made a fantastic effort pulling at the front of the field to reel in the breakaway and set up the stage for Peter. Despite the bad crash mid-stage that disrupted the work, we managed to keep up the chase of the breakaway. Rafal, Peter and Jesper were there after the climbs in the final part of the stage but with around 8 kilometers to go, unfortunately a motorbike wanted to pass and he took Peter down. In the end, the group was together at the finish line but Peter was far behind because of the crash and we missed out on a great possibility to convert a team effort into a good result”, says Hoffman.
 

"We don't really know what happened. We know that a motorbike hit Peter from behind and brought him down. But we don't know what bike or who it was. Things like that happen. We would not like them to happen but they do. All we're hoping for is for Peter to be alright. He lost a lot of skin. I can't tell you if he'll start tomorrow because I don't know."

According to team doctor Peter Lagrou, Peter Sagan suffered wounds and burns of first and second degree on the left side of his body, from the hip to the lower leg. In addition, he has a contusion on his left forearm with an intra-muscular hematoma.
 
There is no need for further medical examinations and a decision on whether Peter Sagan continues in the Vuelta a España will be taken on Sunday morning.