Crash ends Primoz Roglic's Vuelta a Espana title defence

Defending champion Primoz Roglic has pulled out of the Vuelta a Espana following a crash at the end of stage 16 on Tuesday.

Bidding for a fourth successive overall victory in the race, Roglic was second in the general classification behind Belgian Remco Evenepoel.

"Unfortunately, Primoz Roglic will not be at the start of stage 17 as a consequence of yesterday's crash," the Slovenian's Team Jumbo-Visma posted on Twitter.

"Get well soon, champion! Thank you for all the beautiful moments in this Vuelta.

"You had ambitious plans for the final days, but sadly it isn't meant to be."

Roglic took to the start on Tuesday one minutes and 34 seconds behind Evenepoeland launched a stunning attack in the latter stages of the 189km ride.

The Slovenian poured on the power on a short climb leading towards the finish in Tomares to split the race and only four other riders managed to stay with him.

As the finish line loomed, Roglic was overtaken and seconds later went down heavily after seemingly touching handlebars with those of Fred Wright 100m from the line.

Denmark's 2019 world champion Pedersen of Trek-Segafredo took the win, with a bloodied Roglic getting gingerly back to his bike and rolling slowly over the line in the pursuing bunch.