Seville - The Slovenian three-time defending champion Primož Roglič has been forced to pull out of La Vuelta after yesterday's nasty fall in the final meters of the 16th stage of the race, his team Jumbo Visma announced on Twitter today.

"Unfortunately, Rogla will not be at the start of stage 17 as a consequence of yesterday's crash. 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," reads the tweet published this morning.

The 32-year-old Jumbo Visma rider made a determined push to attack on the last minor climb only a few kilometres to the finish on Tuesday, but then crashed in the final sprint for the stage win.

He finished the stage with a bloodied leg and arm, holding his shoulder and chest in pain.

Dane Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafred) won the stage, while Roglič came in 35th, although the sprinting rules mean he clocked the winner's time.

Roglič was 1.26 minutes behind the race leader Remco Evenepoel of Belgium (Quick-Step), but his team immediately said it was questionable whether he would be able to continue the race.

The only other Slovenian cyclist competing at La Vuelta is now Jan Polanc, who gained a spot to rank 12th overall due to Roglič's quitting.