Tour de France: Scare for Sky on a day of bad luck

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Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas both involved in late crashes but escape without fractures as the race was thrown into turmoil on the approach to Bastia.

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Olympic champion Thomas went down along with a host of big names including Peter Sagan (Cannondale) and Alberto Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff). Pre-stage favourite Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step) was also held up, while Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol), whose movement led in part to the crash, was held up with a mechanical.

Thomas and Stannard were taken to the hospital to be checked over after finishing the stage before being given the all-clear.

Three Team Sky riders crossed the line in the lead group – Edvald Boasson Hagen contesting the sprint, with Chris Froome and Richie Porte finishing safely in behind.

The race got off to a less-than-ideal start for Froome, after the Brit hit a kerb in the neutralised zone, going down briefly before changing bike and returning to the peloton ahead of the flag drop.

After the finish, the Brit commented on the early tumble, confirming: “I managed to get through the rest of the day unscathed and if that’s the only crash I have this Tour I’ll take that!

“I don’t think any of us expected it was going to be plain sailing today, but there were some pretty brutal crashes in the final there. Again it’s just another reminder that this Tour is about so much more than having the form and being here. It’s about staying out of trouble and looking after ourselves in the peloton at the same time.

“I felt like guys were crashing all around me, but I managed to pick my way through and chase to get back on just in time for the final.There was some uncertainty there in the final, but the main thing is that most of us have come through all right. G has gone to have some checks. He looks okay but it’s better to be on the safe side.”

 

 

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