Lotto-Soudal rider Kris Boeckmans is in a medically induced coma in hospital following a massive crash during the eighth stage of the Vuelta a Espana, the team have announced.

Boeckmans was one of four riders forced to abandon the race after being caught up in the incident 48 kilometres from the finish of the route from Puebla de Don Fadrique to Murcia on Saturday.

BMC's Tejay van Garderen, Cofidis rider Nacer Bouhanni and the previously third-placed Dan Martin (Cannondale-Garmin) also saw their involvement in the race ended by the crash.

Lotto-Soudal had previously stated Boeckmans was conscious and stable when he was taken to a local hospital.

But the team later revealed Boeckmans had suffered "severe facial trauma with several fractures" and will likely require surgery.

Additionally the Belgian also sustained a concussion, three broken ribs and had bleeding in his lung. He will be kept in the coma for "a few days".