Team Sunweb's Nicolas Roche, who wore the red jersey for three days as leader of the Vuelta a España, was forced to abandon the race last Thursday after a crash on stage 6.

Roche was involved in a group crash midway through the stage from Mora de Rubiéros to Ales del Maestrat on August 29 that left CCC team member Victor de la Parte, EF Education First's Hugh Kersee, and team leader Rigoberto Urán, were forced to abandon the race as well.

Shortly after, Roche was diagnosed with a bruised right quadriceps muscle and his left forearm was sutured. Further medical examination, however, revealed a fracture of the left patella.

"Upon returning home, he underwent further tests and an MRI scan revealed a fracture of the left patella," explained Sunweb team doctor Kamiel Aldershov. Nicolas will rest for the next few weeks, and if all goes according to plan, he should be back on the bike within four to six weeks."

Roche spent three days in the red jersey and lost his race lead the day before his crash.

"After the great disappointment of leaving the Vuelta, I was hopeful that once the edema [swelling] healed, I would still be able to continue riding my bike and compete in the Italian classic," Roche said.

"But then this news hit me again. So now my priority is to rehabilitate in the best possible way so that I can get back to health and back on the bike as soon as possible."