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.