Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) crashed on stage 3 of the Vuelta a España and abandoned the race.

Woods, from Canada, was the team's overall leader and was racing with the goal of finishing in the top 10, but everything went wrong early in Sunday's stage.

The cameras did not capture the incident, but Woods appeared to tangle with teammate Itamar Einhorn after about 50 km of racing on a flat, quiet stage.

He quickly got to his feet and was treated by race doctors for an impact to the head and possible concussion to the temple.

Woods appeared to have passed the initial concussion protocol as he got back on his bike and continued to ride, but quickly got off his bike and into his team car.

"Unfortunately, Mike Woods was forced to abandon the race due to the crash. He initially returned to his bike, but is currently in an ambulance on his way to the hospital for observation.

After the stage, the team explained Woods' injuries in detail.

"Tests have confirmed that there were no acute fractures from the crash. Mike suffered a concussion and multiple abrasions.

Woods' abstention was a major blow to Israel Premier Tech, which is in danger of relegation from the World Tour. A strong GC finish in the Vuelta would have earned him the UCI ranking points he needs to stay in the top class of cycling.

The team has Chris Froome, but the two-time Vuelta winner's preparation has been hampered by COVID-19, and sprinters Einhorn, Daryl Impey, Patrick Bevin, Alessandro de Marchi, and others will have to deliver results on the stage The pressure to deliver results on the stage will be even greater.