Injured Landa ruled out of Tour of Spain

Paris - Spaniard Mikel Landa was ruled out of the Tour of Spain on Sunday after suffering a broken vertebra in a crash at the San Sebastian Classic, his Movistar team said.

Landa was one of several riders caught up in the pile-up less than 20 km from the finish, which saw Team Sky's young Colombian hopeful Egan Bernal suffer injuries to his face.

Landa was diagnosed with "a fracture of the lumbar vertebra L1" and is set to undergo further scans before leaving hospital.

The 28-year-old Basque had targeted victory in the Tour of Spain after failing to podium at the Tour de France, where he finished seventh overall behind Welsh winner Geraint Thomas.

The Tour of Spain begins on August 25.

?? @MikelLandaMeana was released from hospital on Sunday morning. He's wearing a lumbar brace to keep the area fixed. New examinations in Vitoria on Monday.

??????‍?? Mikel's appearance in #LaVuelta18 is not ruled out, pending the rider's evolution and rehabilitation. pic.twitter.com/l4zzaaQVGW

— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) August 5, 2018