Tour de France 2021: Geraint Thomas minimises losses after dislocating shoulder on stage three
The Welshman went down at the front of the bunch early but miraculously carried on


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 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
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
'I still can't believe it happened' — Alberto Dainese becomes first Italian winner at the 2022 Giro d'Italia
Team DSM sprinter charged to victory on stage 11
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Alberto Dainese sprints to victory on stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia
The Team DSM rider becomes the first Italian rider to win a stage at this year's Grand Tour in his home country
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Chris Froome: Being competitive at Tour de France would be a 'dream scenario'
The Israel-Premier Tech rider on being back at his normal level, appreciating his past, and aiming to have form late into the season
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: 'Of course I want to try to win the Tour de France'
After signing new contract with Ineos Grenadiers, British rider says he can lead wave of young riders at team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel aims to ride Giro d'Italia and Tour de France this year
Dutchman is continuing his comeback from injury at Coppi e Bartali this week
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Geraint Thomas 'will be very happy going to the Tour de France as a support rider', says Ineos Grenadiers' Rod Ellingworth
Ellingworth also backs the team to start winning big once Lady Luck falls their way
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
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
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Jack Haig is working on his time trial as he aims for Tour de France overall after Vuelta podium
There will be 53km worth of time trialing at the 2022 French Grand Tour
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
'I don’t want to end my time with the regret of not ever trying': Julian Alaphilippe wants to try and win Tour de France before retiring
The double world champion will focus on the Classics in 2022 but still has an eye on the French Grand Tour
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Egan Bernal aiming at Tour de France victory in 2022
The former winner abandoned last time he raced the Grande Boucle in 2020
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published