Race leader Marianne Vos has been forced to abandon the 2019 Women’s Tour after a high-speed crash on stage three.
The former world champion took over the race lead when she won the bunch sprint at Kent Cyclopark on stage two.
But Vos’s time at the top of the standings was short lived, after she hit her head in a collision that happened as the peloton upped the speed for an intermediate sprint on day three.
>>> Jumbo-Visma bike stolen from team car at Critérium du Dauphiné 2019
The CCC-Liv rider said: “The speed went up in preparation for the second intermediate sprint. For me there was a fall because of a hole in the way. I could no longer avoid it. I fell hard on my head, and apart from cuts and scratches, I didn’t get much from it.
“I want to the hospital because the cut had to be stitched. Very unfortunate, I was quite upset by it because I was in such a good position.
“But even after a fall, the race continues. Unfortunately that is without me.”
Vos’s team-mates Jeanne Korevaar and Valerie Demey then left the race due to the collision and Trek-Segafredo’s Trixi Worrack was also forced to abandon after she was injured.
The crash happened around 65km into the 145.1km stage three of the Women's Tour, from Henley-on-Thames to Blenheim Palace, as the race left Didcot.
Race officials enforced a neutralisation on the race after the crash, which was restarted shortly after.
>>> Marianne Vos takes overall Women’s Tour lead after winning stage two at the Kent Cyclopark
Marianne Vos led the race by nine seconds over Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) at the start of the day.
The Dutchwoman had powered into the race lead with a peerless sprint on the Cyclopark stage, with Deignan trailing to finish in second.
News of Vos’s abandonment came not long after it emerged that Chris Froome had been forced to abandon the Critérium du Dauphiné due to a crash.
Froome fell during a recon of the individual time trial stage and was taken to hospital.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Tour de France: Unchained review - Tense and insightful must-see television
Netflix does it again with its behind-the-scenes Tour de France documentary, although Tadej Pogačar's absence is notable
-
Bryton Gardia R300L Rear Light & Radar review
A very neat little unit that combines a rear light and radar to keep you better informed about traffic
-
Marianne Vos doubles up on ‘nervous’ stage four of Vuelta Femenina
The Jumbo-Visma rider is yet to finish off the podium at the Spanish race
-
'We didn't expect this': Wind causes havoc on stage three of La Vuelta Femenina as Marianne Vos wins
Dutchwoman takes first ever Vuelta stage win, completing the Grand Tour set, as multiple GC riders suffer in echelons
-
Lizzie Deignan: 'It’s a shame someone can’t see the value of the Women’s Tour'
The Women’s Tour’s only double winner expresses her disappointment after the cancellation of the 2023 race
-
Women’s Tour axed for 2023 due to lack of cash
Long term future of the standard setting British race remains uncertain after fruitless search for financial backing
-
Women’s Tour fundraising campaign receives public backing from Alastair Campbell
Tony Blair's former comms director highlights major role played by race in growth of women’s cycling
-
Three weeks to save the Women’s Tour as organiser launches crowdfunding campaign
Race is looking for £100,000 to fill funding hole
-
Women’s Tour down to five stages as organiser makes plea for sponsors
Race organiser SweetSpot says event "urgently requires additional commercial income"
-
Tour of Britain set for Welsh climax in 2023
Race organisers announce partnership for the national tour and Women’s Tour to visit the Principality until 2026
