Geraint Thomas abandons Paris-Roubaix after crash on opening cobble sector

Welshman hits the deck after 100km of racing

Geraint Thomas ahead of the start of Paris-Roubaix
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Geraint Thomas has abandoned the 2018 edition of Paris-Roubaix after being caught up in a crash in the opening cobbled sector of the race.

The Team Sky rider, who was making his first appearance in the Classics in 2018, lasted until the 160km to go mark in the race as he was one of a number to hit the deck on the mud-covered cobbles at Troisvilles.

>>> Paris-Roubaix 2018 start list

This was Thomas's fifth attempt at Paris-Roubaix, with his best result coming in 2014 where he finished in seventh place as Niki Terpstra took the victory.

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Team Sky confirmed that Thomas had crashed on the opening sector at Troisvilles, which pictures taken ahead of the race had shown was covered in mud in parts.

The crash took down around 10 riders and held up many more, with Oliver Naesen (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) among those who had to work hard to regain contact with the main bunch.

>>> Paris-Nice 2018 live TV guide

Team Sky's bad luck continued after the fourth cobbled sector at Quiévy, when Gianni Moscon hit the deck on the smooth tarmac going through a left-hand bend.

The team will provide an update on Thomas's injuries later in the day, with the next race on the Welshman's calendar being Liège-Bastogne-Liège on April 22.

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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.