Nicolas Roche has been forced to abandon his Vuelta Espana campaign after being involved in a major crash on stage six.

The Team Sunweb rider had held the leader's red jersey for three stages of this year's race and was in fifth place on a general classification going into today.

A massive multi-person crash with less than 90-kilometres left of today's climb also took out the sixth-placed Rigoberto Uran and Britain's Hugh Carthy.

The 35-year-old got back on his bike and tried to continue but was forced to withdraw from the race after a trip to the team doctor's car.

"Unfortunately as a result of that crash, Nicholas Roche has been forced to abandon La Vuelta. Updates to follow as we have them." his team has confirmed.

Unfortunately as a result of that crash, @nicholasroche has been forced to abandon #LaVuelta19🇪🇸. Updates to follow as we have them. pic.twitter.com/poNiTK2y0i

— Team Sunweb (@TeamSunweb) August 29, 2019