Tom Dumoulin abandons Tour de France after stage three crash

Giant-Alpecin's Tom Dumoulin among the riders to abandon the Tour de France after a huge crash on stage three

Tom Dumoulin on stage one of the 2015 Tour de Suisse

(Image credit: Watson)

Giant-Alpecin's Tom Dumoulin - favourite to take the yellow jersey after stage three - has abandoned the Tour de France after a huge crash at the midway point of the stage.

The time trial specialist hit the tarmac hard after William Bonnet went down near the front of the peloton at high speed with around 60km to go.

Yellow jersey holder Fabian Cancellara was also grounded but got back on his bike despite complaining about vision issues, while several riders were forced to abandon the race.

>>> Fabian Cancellara crash leads to race neutralisation during Tour de France stage three

Dumoulin put in a strong effort in the stage one time trial in front of his home fans, but couldn't become the first Dutchman to hold the yellow jersey since 1989.

It was on stage three where it was thought he may be able to snatch the maillot jaune from Cancellara, but his injuries were severe enough from the crash to force him out of the race completely.

Bonnet and Simon Gerrans also abandoned the stage as the race was completely stopped to wait for Cancellara to regroup.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.