Overall contender Richie Porte (BMC Racing) crashed out of the Tour de France after suffering a nasty crash on the descent of the Mont du Chat on stage nine.
UPDATE: Richie Porte out for at least four weeks with fractures after Tour de France crash
Porte was among a group of seven overall contenders on the treacherous final descent of the mountain stage with just over 22km to go.
He appeared to hit the dirt at the left side of the road on a bend and was thrown across the road, taking out Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors) but luckily missing the other contenders.
Speaking after the stage, BMC Racing sports director Fabio Baldato said that the team were still awaiting news from the hospital on the full extent of Porte's injuries, but that the Australian didn't seem to have lost consciousness in the crash.
>>> Geraint Thomas abandons Tour de France after crash
"I can only say that he was conscious from the beginning," Baldato said on the steps of the BMC bus.
"We need to wait for the doctor. What was important is that he always conscious, he knew what happened, and he was asking for his helmets and his glasses."
A provisional medical report from the Tour de France organisers said that Porte had suffered injuries to his head and pelvis, but had not suffered any injuries to his brain.
Baldato also said that the team had ridden the descent four times before the race, including at the Critérium du Dauphiné, therefore knew that it was going to be dangerous.
Race leader Chris Froome (Team Sky) remained safe as he was leading the group at the time, which contained Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale), Romain Bardet (Ag2r), Jakob Fuglsang, Fabio Aru (Astana) as well as Martin and Porte.
>>> Who's out of the Tour de France after stage nine
Porte collided with rock wall on the right side of the road after being thrown off his bike and appeared to suffer some extremely nasty injuries. The Australian was immediately treated by race medical staff at the side of the road and appeared conscious.
Dan Martin was able to get back on his bike, but crashed again after receiving a spare wheel. However he then continued on the descent towards the finish in Chambéry.
Thank you for reading 5 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
-
-
Best bicycle insurance, including what you need to know and how to compare
Wondering how to protect your pride and joy? Our helpful guide tells you all you need to know about bicycle insurance
-
Five talking points from stage eleven of the Giro d’Italia 2022
The Cycling Weekly highlights package from the stage which finally saw an Italian win at the home race this year
-
Biniam Girmay's stage 11 start in question after podium mishap
Eritrean stage-winner injured his eye with a cork during podium celebrations
-
'Unbelievable': Biniam Girmay seizes opportunity in watershed moment for cycling
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert rider becomes first Eritrean Grand Tour stage winner
-
Racing every race like it's the last of the season: how smaller teams are overperforming this year
Lotto-Soudal and Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux have won 11 races between them in 2022 after just 21 in all of last year, so what's going on?
-
Richie Porte won't ride Tour de France because he 'didn't enjoy pressure' of 2021 edition
The Australian will instead ride the Giro d'Italia as he seeks enjoyment in his final year of racing
-
'It’s been a nice run, but it’s time': Richie Porte says 2021 edition was his final Tour de France
The Australian leads his national team into the Olympic Games road race on Saturday
-
Richie Porte ‘would love to repay Geraint Thomas’ at Tour de France after taking Dauphiné victory
The Tasmanian secured the yellow jersey, a nice bonus, before the real maillot jaune his Ineos team are after at the Tour later this month
-
'I'd love to finish it off,' says Richie Porte after taking Critérium du Dauphiné lead
Richie Porte was the strongest of the GC guys as he attacked on stage seven to take the race lead
-
Ineos Grenadiers announce super-strong team for Critérium du Dauphiné 2021
The Tour de France build-up race is always a big objective for the British squad
