Remco Evenepoel was left with blood pouring down his face after a bizarre crash following his stage win at the Vuelta a Espana.

The Belgian sprinted away from the pack to win the 158.5km stage three, which finished in Arinsal in Andorra, on Monday. But he could not savour his impressive achievement for long, with an unusual crash taking place moments later.

Evenepoel was still carrying plenty of speed going downhill after crossing the line and appeared oblivious to the crowd of people in front of him. He careered into the throng of people, colliding heavily with a woman.

His shoulder appeared to strike the chin of the spectator, sending them both crashing to the floor. Evenepoel slid into some metal fencing and when he stood up there was blood pouring down his face from a nasty-looking cut on his eyebrow.

The 23-year-old, who is bidding for a second consecutive general classification win at the Spanish grand tour, did not appear to be shaken up. He was filmed embracing members of his Soudal–Quick-Step team in the aftermath.

Eurosport reported that the woman was a soigneur - part of the support team - for one of the rival teams. Evenepoel was seen gesturing to suggest that the crowd should not have been in his way.

The incident added to the chaotic start to the Vuelta, which has endured terrible weather so far. The opening stage was littered with crashes and Evenepoel was openly critical of organisers’ decision to take general classification times at the top Montjuic climb, around four kilometres from the finish of stage two on Sunday.

Remco Evenepoel crash
Remco Evenepoel had blood pouring down his face

“It makes no sense to take the times at the top of the climb,” he told reporters. “We asked to take the time at the start of the circuit but they completely ignored it, they blew off that request.

“I feel after yesterday the bunch deserved a bit more respect from the organisation but it looks like they are still not listening to us. So, yeah, another day in paradise.

“We tried to ask them to take the time gaps at 7.8 kilometres so even after yesterday we don’t get a bit of respect from the organisation and the UCI, so it’s a shame. But now we have to race.”

“Taking the time at the top of Montjuic makes no sense at all, because they still keep the bonuses so if you still have a gap at the top, then you go with it to the finish line. It changes nothing.”