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Geraint Thomas crashes out of Tour de France 2017 on stage nine

Welshman suffers broken collarbone after crash on descent of Col de la Biche

Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas has abandoned the 2017 Tour de France, suffering a broken collarbone on the descent of the Col de la Biche on stage nine.

The Welshman, who won the stage one time trial and carried the yellow jersey up to La Planche des Belles Filles on stage five, was second overall behind team leader Chris Froome prior to the stage.

But, riding in the yellow jersey group, Thomas crashed heavily on the descent of the first of three hors categorie climbs between Nantua and Chambery.

And he became the second Brit to abandon this year’s race, after Mark Cavendish, when – despite initially trying to ride on – he was forced to leave the race in an ambulance.

Jersey for sale… Only worn once. Not in 100% condition, slight signs of use. Might need a wash ???? Thanks again for all your messages, overwhelmed by the amount, means a lot!!????#couldhavebeenworse

A post shared by Geraint Thomas (@geraintthomas86) on

It is the second Grand Tour Thomas, 31, has had to abandon this year after a crash on Blockhaus at the Giro d’Italia – when, again, he was second overall at the time – eventually forced him out of the race.

Having missed out on challenging for the maglia rosa as a result, Thomas arrived at the Tour to support Froome’s GC bid but found himself in the race lead after a superb ride in the rain in Dusseldorf.

He became the first Welsh rider to wear the maillot jaune in the process, and eighth Brit, but has suffered a number of crashes since – including over-cooking a descent on stage eight.

His latest crash and injury means Froome will now be without one of his leading domestiques for the remainder of the Tour.

 

Thomas had initially carried on riding after the crash, but abandoned after the descent when both his Team Sky doctor Juan Mercadel and the race doctor told him they suspected his collarbone was broken.

And Thomas admitted he was devastated to be leaving the race, telling the team website: “Everyone was nervous, everyone wanted to be at the front and a few people were battling to get between myself, Froomey and the rest of the boys.

“I let [Rafal] Majka in and then he came down right in front of me on a straight bit of road. I had nowhere to go, went over the top of him, and landed on my collarbone.

“I’m just thinking of the devastation of leaving the Tour and another Grand Tour. I crashed at the Giro on stage nine, and it’s stage nine again here. I was lying second overall on both days as well. It’s just so disappointing.”

Rafal Majka was also involved in the crash, but finished the stage heavily bandaged with his jersey torn to shreds (pic – Sirotti)

Thomas did appear in more jovial mood later in the evening, however, posting a picture of his torn jersey on Instagram with the caption, “Jersey for sale… Only worn once. Not in 100% condition, slight signs of use. Might need a wash.”

The Welshman was one of four riders to crash out on stage nine, with Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Manuele Mori (UAE Team Emirates) already out following an earlier crash when Thomas called it quits, and Richie Porte (BMC Racing) also abandoning after a bad crash on the final descent.

Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) went on to win the stage, while Chris Froome (Team Sky) finished third to extend his overall lead.

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