Vermaerke runs with a cracked rib: "I wish it was a rest day."

A dramatic turn of events has broken out at UAE Team Emirates-XRG: American rider Kevin Vermaerke has unwittingly revealed that he's competing in the Vuelta a España with a cracked rib. It all happened during stage seven, when a television motorcycle, parked right near the team's sheepfold, captured a private conversation between the rider and the team car as he received a water bottle.

The 25-year-old is part of the formidable train that is escorting Tadej Pogačar to the red jersey in Granada, but he is also fighting a personal battle in this last Grand Tour of the season.

"It's okay. I have a crack in my rib, so it hurts," Vermaerke was heard saying as he picked up his water bottle from the UAE team car on Friday. Despite the pain, he still completed the mountain stage to Aramón Valdelinares alongside teammate Jay Vine , finishing 16 minutes behind winner Andreas Leknessund .

At the start of stage eight, the Texan told TNT Sports that he sustained the injury in a crash a few weeks before the Vuelta. "I didn't know there was a TV bike right there, but it's just... I crashed a few weeks ago and I have a small crack on the back of my ribs," Vermaerke explained.

The rider, however, wanted to play down the situation: "It's nothing that affects me on the bike, it was just a joke with the team car, and by chance there was a microphone nearby. But it's all good, it was just a clip that went viral, I think, that was filmed last night."

Vermaerke is riding his second career Vuelta, after finishing 20th overall last year.

The rider has promised a battle, starting with Saturday's ninth stage, a 171km route to Xeraco with the final climb of Puerto de Barx. Sunday's tenth stage, however, promises to be even more challenging, with 5,000 meters of elevation gain and a 22km uphill finish on the Alto de Aitana.

Vermaerke doesn't hide his hope for Monday's rest day: "I'd like it to be a rest day, but at the end of the day we still have 175 km to cover, and it's never an easy day here," he said. "So, with the wind, the roundabouts, and the climb at the end, it won't be an easy day. But I think the whole group is feeling the last two days in their legs, and especially with tomorrow's grueling day, a little rest would be useful for everyone."