EF Education First was involved in a major crash midway through stage 6 that ended their hopes for the Vuelta a España.

Team leader Rigoberto Urán was the worst affected, while Colombian and the team's best climber, Hugh Carthy, was forced to pull out of the race.

Other former race leaders Nicolas Roche (Team Sunweb) and Victor de la Parte (CCC Team) fell and were severely affected.

Juanma Galate, team director of EF Education First, said, "A rider from Jumbo Visma lost control on a very fast descent and quite a few of the team fell with him. Rigo and Hugh are in the ambulance right now, badly injured. We had no luck in this race."

According to initial reports, Uran, who was in sixth place overall, and Kersee, who helped shred the field on stage 5, both broke their left collarbones. According to a team communiqué, they are scheduled to undergo tests at the hospital.

Uran also crashed on stage 4, but the damage did not appear to be serious. Sergio Iguita, who crashed on stage 6, was also able to continue competing.

Unfortunately for the team, Tejay Van Garderen was part of the break of the day, but ditched on a downhill corner. He was able to rejoin the race and finish, but the American was last on the stage, making it a miserable day for the team.

"I didn't get involved personally, but about half the team crashed. The race went downhill fast and was tighter than anyone expected on this corner," EF's Lawson Craddock told reporters at the finish line.

"Really, it was a rough day for us. It's frustrating to say the least, but this is bike racing. It's still a long race. I'm really disappointed that Rigo retired. But I'm trying to focus again and that's thanks to the leadership of my coach, Juanma Galate, and my road captain, Mitch Docker.

Higuita, who hit the deck, explained how the crash happened.

"We were going uphill and a Jumbo rider braked in a corner and the front wheel fell out from under him. But Rigo was at the bottom of the group of riders who crashed, and his collarbone was broken."

"I think I just got a bruised back, not too bad, but it was a tough fight to get back to the pack because the team car was taking care of Rigo and Hugh."

Daniel Martinez, despite his youth, had to take on more responsibility within the team.

"When he fell and we all went over him, it was a really dangerous moment because there was a big drop on the side of the road," said the 23-year-old Colombian.

"We waited for him to get up, but Rigo was in really bad shape, Hugh wasn't good, and we lost two guys today. But I'll keep my head up and fight. That's cycling."