Geraint Thomas was able to minimise time losses on stage three of the Tour de France 2021, after dislocating his shoulder in a crash.
The Welshman went down in a fall at the front of the bunch around 144km from the finish of stage three from Lorient to Pontivy.
Ineos Grenadiers have confirmed that Thomas dislocated his shoulder in the race, which was put back in place on scene by the race doctor.
Thomas then went for an ultrasound scan after the finish, with results due to be confirmed this evening.
The crashed happened near the front of the peloton as Thomas's Ineos team went over a speed bump, with the Welshman falling hard.
After laying on the floor and looking to be in some serious discomfort, video from the moments after the fall showed a race doctor appearing to pop Thomas's shoulder back into place.
Ineos Grenadiers leader Thomas was able to remount the bike and continue on, re-joining the peloton after a 20km chase with the assistance of his team-mates.
Jumbo-Visma rider Robert Gesink went down in the same crash and was forced to abandon the race.
While Thomas was initially able to rejoin the peloton and initially avoid any time losses, the finale was marred by further crashes, with Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) falling hard 10km from the finish and losing time.
Those crashes in the final caused a number of splits in the bunch, with 17 riders making it to the finish together, as Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) won the stage.
Meanwhile, Thomas finished in the third group on the road in 48th place, 26 seconds behind the stage winner.
Thomas, winner of the 2018 Tour de France, lost time to his team-mate Richard Carapaz who finished in the front group along with general classification rival Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick-Step).
>>> Tour de France standings: The latest results from the French Grand Tour
After stage three, Thomas has moved up two places overall into 18th place, 1-07 behind current yellow jersey holder Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix).
Alaphilippe is second overall eight seconds behind Van der Poel, while Carapaz jumps into third, 31 seconds off the race lead.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) finish in the same group as Thomas and is now sixth overall, 39 seconds down.
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
-
In celebration of Peter Sagan, cycling's rock and roll frontmanAs the three-time world champion is set to call time on his career in the WorldTour at the end of 2023, we thought we would take a look back at the glory days
-
‘You never know in the Tour’ - Romain Bardet fearless as he lines up Tour de France GC bid
The 32-year-old is ready to play the tactical game this July
-
Wright on Fire: Fred Wright on his breakthrough year, almost winning, and Primož Roglič
The young Bahrain-Victorious rider is one of the hottest properties in the peloton. All he needs now is a victory.
-
‘I just started screaming’: Uno-X team boss delighted with Tour de France wildcard invitation
Jens Haugland said his team will race in a "very positive and attacking" way this July
-
No win for Jonas Vingegaard? Cycling Weekly's bold predictions for the 2023 season
With under a fortnight until the WorldTour kicks off this year, it is time to take a look into our crystal ball
-
Speed Demons of the peloton: The six best sprinters of 2022
We take a look at the standout performers of the fast men and women in the professional scene this year
-
From the World Championships to Paris-Roubaix: Cycling Weekly's wins of 2022
It is hard to look past Annemiek van Vleuten, but we tried, so here is the best win of the year, plus nine more
-
'Once in a lifetime': Matej Mohorič on his stunning Milan-San Remo victory in 2022
The dropper post, the daredevil descending, and the Monument win
