Tinkoff-Saxo consider legal action after Sagan collision

PeterSagan - Cropped

Tinkoff-Saxo are considering the possibility of legal action after seeing their rider Peter Sagan sustain "extensive superficial wounds" during the eighth stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Saturday.

The Slovakian was clattered into by a motorbike during the stage between Puebla de Don Fadrique and Murcia and suffered wounds on the leg and left buttock.

Sagan reacted furiously to the incident and, while he managed to finish, saw his hopes of challenging for the overall lead majorly dented.

Having seen Sagan finish five minutes and 27 seconds behind winner Jasper Stuyven, Tinkoff-Saxo confirmed their intention to consider legal options.

"Tinkoff-Saxo announces after stage 8 of Vuelta a Espana that the team considers legal actions against the person or persons responsible for crashing into Peter Sagan with 8.2km to go on the stage," read their statement.

"A Shimano auxiliary motorbike recklessly and dangerously drove into the peloton at high speed hitting Peter Sagan in his rear wheel.

"The unacceptable collision caused Peter Sagan to crash and left the rider with extensive superficial wounds on the left buttocks and leg. Sagan was fortunately able to finish the stage but a final medical examination is yet to be made.

"Tinkoff-Saxo believes that such accidents caused by reckless human error, regardless of whether they affect Tinkoff-Saxo's riders or riders of other teams, are unacceptable at the top level of the sport of cycling.

"Peter Sagan was wearing the green jersey, he had won one stage, was set to target the stage win of today, while being in serious contention for later stage wins.

"Tinkoff-Saxo finds it intolerable that an incident like today's can occur and potentially send the ambitions of a rider and a full season of planning astray.

"Meanwhile, today’s accident doesn't only affect Sagan and Tinkoff-Saxo but the race as a whole and its fans, since Peter Sagan is one of the most popular riders drawing attention to both the race and the sport in general."

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