Geraint Thomas 'massively disappointed' to crash out of Tour de France
The Welshman crashed out of second Grand Tour in the space of a few months after breaking his collarbone on stage nine of the Tour de France
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4cDkifLfnwFDFCQqemVbSj-415-80.jpg)
Geraint Thomas leads Chris Froome at the Tour de France (ASO)
Geraint Thomas (Sky) has said leaving the Tour de France after a crash and broken collarbone on stage nine is a "massive disappointment."
>>> Rigoberto Uran wins in photo finish as Froome keeps lead on dramatic Tour de France stage nine
Thomas, just like in the Giro d'Italia, fell on stage nine. In the Giro d'Italia, he quit five days later after suffering with a sore shoulder and knee. He raced the Tour to help Chris Froome win and see how far he could go in the overall.
"It's a massive disappointment," he told VeloNews. "Just like at the Giro. It was stage nine as well. I was sitting second overall as well
"I don't know what it is for this year, it's just not happening."
Thomas fell four times in this Tour de France, on stages two, four, eight and nine. He broke his right collarbone this time, forcing him to abandon the race.
He was one of many to fall on stage nine, along with Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe), Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Richie Porte (BMC Racing). Porte remains in the hospital.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
He fell on the Col de la Biche descent that was slightly wet due to the day's rains.
"Majka just came down right in front of me, and I had nowhere to go," Thomas said.
"I knew something was wrong. Normally, you can just get up and get going again. You just have to accept it."
Thomas, known for his hardness, pushed on until down until he reached the valley, but he knew something was "bad" and it was confirmed by the team and race doctor.
His collarbone had broken, which usually means six weeks without racing. The Welshman came off lightly considering some of the other incidents, including the scary looking one with former team-mate Porte.
"I really hope Richie is OK, I saw a bit of that crash. It's not nice watching guys go down like that. I really hope he's OK.
"Where I crashed, I don't think it was [too dangerous]. I just don't know what Majka was doing.
"He was at the inside of me a few times on the corners, just desperate to get around me. I let him pass, and literally 10 seconds later, he's on the floor, taking me down, and [Matteo] Trentin as well."
Thank you for reading 20 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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I'm definitely pushing over 2,500 watts' - Meet the most powerful cyclists in the GB Olympics squad
Move over track sprinters, there are stronger legs in town
By Tom Davidson Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ill Geraint Thomas battling to remain in Tour de France
The 2018 Tour de France winner is showing mild symptoms of Covid
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'It was damage limitation': Tom Pidcock, Jai Hindley react to losing time on Tour de France stage two
"There’s going to be minutes in three weeks. 21 seconds doesn't mean anything," says Tom Pidcock after first blows dealt from the favourites in Bologna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Geraint Thomas not picked by GB during his final Olympic cycle
Double gold medallist misses out on spot in five-man road team
By Adam Becket Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published