Rival sprinter requires surgery after clashing with Nacer Bouhanni in bunch sprint

Nacer Bouhanni has found himself in the midst of another controversy after clashing with rival sprinter Anthony Maldonado on stage two of the Tour de l'Ain.

Photos of the incident posted on Twitter appeared to show Bouhanni, who won the stage,  with his elbow pointed out as Maldonado crashed into the barriers on his right-hand side.

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The Cofidis rider was not punished for the incident, with Maldonado's HP BTP-Auber93 appealing for photos of the crash on social media.

The team then published three photos that showed Maldonado crashing - his helmet coming off with the impact - with the caption "we'll let you make your own decision. Ours is clear", a tweet which was later deleted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTHquC6MS_8

Maldonado was taken to hospital after the crash, where he received surgery under general anaesthetic as he's wounds were cleaned and stitched up.

Bouhanni has found himself at the centre of a number of controversies over the years, most recently at the Tour de France where he appeared to punch Quick-Step Floors rider Jack Bauer.

The Tour de l'Ain continues on Friday with a mountainous stage which should see Bouhanni lose his yellow jersey.