Guwahati, June 27 (NKTV): In a major setback for Tour de France, a roadside spectator holding a cardboard sign caused a massive pile-up during the first stage of the race that left several top riders being held up on Saturday while another huge pileup with 7.5 km left brought down Chris Froome and others.
In the first crash, German Tony Martin was sent tumbling when he rode straight into the sign.
Overall contenders Tao Geoghegan Hart of Britain as well as Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez were among the riders being held up and lost considerable time on the opening day of the three-week race.
Belgian Wout van Aert was also slowed down but made it back to the main bunch after a long effort, just like eventual stage winner Julian Alaphilippe, who had blood dripping from his knee when he crossed the line. “I hope everyone is OK. I’m calling on the fans to be careful. It’s nice to see the fans back on the side of the road, but please be careful” said Alaphilippe.
German Jasha Suetterlin of Team DSM was consequently the first rider to abandon the race after being sent to the ground by the crash.
The second crash brought down Froome and many others including Marc Haller, Andre Greipel and Ion Izagirre as bikes were sent flying to the side of the road.
Froome climbed back on his bike after being attended to by a race doctor but looked in considerable pain when he crossed the line 14:37 behind Alaphilippe.
The Briton, a four-time Tour champion, was back on the race after missing the last two editions following a horrific crash in June 2019.
Source: Reuters