Tinkoff Saxo ask for compensation

Madrid - The Tinkoff Saxo team is seeking compensation from Spain's Vuelta organizers for an accident involving Peter Sagan and a motorcycle that caused its rider to fall and retire during the eighth stage of the race.

A statement by Tinkoff Sports, the team's managing company on Wednesday, said the impact caused Sagan "severe injuries" and damaged "a rider on which the team's success in the Vuelta depended in large part."

The team is asking race organizer Unipublic for a public apology and a sum "equal to the value of the prize" for a stage victory to be paid to a charity of Tinkoff and Sagan's choice.

Sagan was hit at speed from behind by a following motorcycle and instead of receiving immediate assistance was left lying on the road.