'I don't remember the crash' – Caja Rural rider abandons Tour de France with fractured hand

Caja Rural-Seguros RGA rider Alex Molenaar has abandoned the Tour de France after breaking his hand in a crash he said he didn't remember.

The Dutchman came down in a small pile-up just outside 5km to go on Wednesday's fifth stage to Pau. He finished the race, second from last and seven minutes behind the winner Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM), and was tested for a concussion.

According to Spanish outlet AS, he was heard beyond the finish line saying: "I don't remember the crash."

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Molenaar was taken to a nearby hospital after the stage. Caja Rural-Seguros RGA later confirmed that he had suffered a fracture in his hand.

"Alex Molenaar will not be taking the start this Thursday following his heavy crash in Pau," the team wrote on social media.

"The tests carried out have revealed that he is suffering from a fracture of the metacarpal in his right hand."

Riding on his Tour debut, Molenaar wore the polka dot jersey on stage three as leader of the King of the Mountains classification. He is the fourth rider to abandon this year's edition.

Molenaar posted on Instagram on Wednesday evening, writing that he felt “great sadness” not to be able to continue the Tour.

“Unfortunately, my Tour de France has come to an end,” he wrote. “After a hard crash, I hit my head and hand hard. Luckily all is well from the head, but I have fractured my first metacarpal and will have to go through surgery.

“I feel great sadness that I can't continue this wonderful race and fulfil my dream of coming to Paris, but that's how this sport is: sometimes it's the most beautiful in the world and sometimes the hardest.

“Now I just have to wish my colleagues the best of luck for the rest of the race.”