"Not the way we wanted to see Rigo end his last dance" - Hip fracture threatens Rigoberto Uran will miss the rest of his last season:

Rigoberto Urán had to abandon the race on Thursday during the sixth stage of the Vuelta after a heavy crash. After a medical examination it has now become clear why: Uran suffered a fracture in his left hip in a crash on the descent of Puerto Martinez that saw many other riders (Marco Frigo, Pelayo Sanchez, Welay Berhe, Andreas Kron, Matthew Riccitello and Adam Yates) kiss the tarmac.

After the update from his team EF Education-EasyPost, it now becomes clear why. "X-rays showed a fracture in his left hip. He does not need surgery and will go home to recover. This is not the way we wanted to see Rigo end his last dance", says a broken-hearted member of the team where Uran has been active since 2016.

The 37-year-old Colombian – second in the 2017 Tour de France and previously also twice in the closest place of honour in the Giro d'Italia – announced his retirement from racing in February. "It's something I've thought long and hard about. The truth is, it's scary. Cycling has given me everything in life. For almost 23 years, I got up, had breakfast and got on my bike. I was part of a team that took me to the biggest races in the world. Now that's coming to an end," he said at the time.

It now remains to be seen whether Uran will achieve his last goal of the year, Il Lombardia on October 12, in order to end his career in a way that suits such champion - in the saddle.