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Chris Froome crashes again on fifth stage of Tour de France Chris Froome crashes again on fifth stage of Tour de France
(35 minutes later)
Chris Froome fell again in the Tour de France, just 25 kilometres into Wednesday’s fifth stage.Chris Froome fell again in the Tour de France, just 25 kilometres into Wednesday’s fifth stage.
The defending champion slid off his bike in pouring rain while still on the flat part of the Ypres-to-Arenberg Porte du Hinaut stage following the crash the previous day that left him with a badly grazed hip and an injured left wrist.The defending champion slid off his bike in pouring rain while still on the flat part of the Ypres-to-Arenberg Porte du Hinaut stage following the crash the previous day that left him with a badly grazed hip and an injured left wrist.
Froome’s hopes for the day had been theoretically boosted when the organisers removed two of the nine cobbled sections on the stage, affording the British rider’s injured wrist a little relief on what is set to be a hellish day in northern France though his latest accident happened before the pavé had even been reached. He was able to rejoin the race but was forced to chase hard with four Sky team-mates to make up more than a minute on the peloton. Television pictures showed him this time with grazing to the right thigh and a cut knee.
Froome’s hopes for the day had been theoretically boosted when the organisers removed two of the nine cobbled sections on the stage, affording the British rider’s heavily strapped wrist a little relief on what is set to be a hellish day in northern France, though his latest accident happened before the pavé had even been reached which is around 80km in.
“Due to bad weather and road conditions, two cobbled sectors have been removed from stage five,” a statement on letour.com read.“Due to bad weather and road conditions, two cobbled sectors have been removed from stage five,” a statement on letour.com read.
“They are sector seven, the 1,000m stretch of cobbles at Mons-en-Pévèle, and sector five, which is the 1,400m long portion from Orchies to Beuvry-la-Forêt.“They are sector seven, the 1,000m stretch of cobbles at Mons-en-Pévèle, and sector five, which is the 1,400m long portion from Orchies to Beuvry-la-Forêt.
“It takes the total of pavés [cobbled] sections down to 13km but the race will remain highly attractive.“It takes the total of pavés [cobbled] sections down to 13km but the race will remain highly attractive.
“The total distance is of stage five will be 152.5km, which is 3km less than initially planned.”“The total distance is of stage five will be 152.5km, which is 3km less than initially planned.”
The stage features many of the cobbled sections used in the Paris-Roubaix “Hell of the North” one-day race.The stage features many of the cobbled sections used in the Paris-Roubaix “Hell of the North” one-day race.
The Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford welcomed the decision. He said on letour.com: “The riders’ safety must always come first. It’s completely different to have cobbles on a one-day race or on a GC [general classification] race when it can have a major impact on the outcome.The Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford welcomed the decision. He said on letour.com: “The riders’ safety must always come first. It’s completely different to have cobbles on a one-day race or on a GC [general classification] race when it can have a major impact on the outcome.
“It would have been a shame after such a fantastic start in England to have a stage with such an impact on the GC.”“It would have been a shame after such a fantastic start in England to have a stage with such an impact on the GC.”
Froome, who fell on his left side during June’s Critérium du Dauphiné, was sent for a precautionary x-ray after his wrist bore the brunt of the fall, but Team Sky announced late on Tuesday that the 29-year-old was all right to continue.Froome, who fell on his left side during June’s Critérium du Dauphiné, was sent for a precautionary x-ray after his wrist bore the brunt of the fall, but Team Sky announced late on Tuesday that the 29-year-old was all right to continue.
Asked about Froome on Wednesday morning, Brailsford added: “He’s sore. But it should be all right.Asked about Froome on Wednesday morning, Brailsford added: “He’s sore. But it should be all right.
“It’s not an ideal scenario but he’s all set for this stage. He’s a fighter.”“It’s not an ideal scenario but he’s all set for this stage. He’s a fighter.”
Brailsford also said that Richie Porte would be a protected rider, like Froome, as an insurance policy if the 29-year-old Briton’s injuries proved too severe for him to challenge for the overall title.
The decision again highlighted Brailsford’s call to omit Sir Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 winner, from Team Sky’s squad.
Wiggins was ninth in Paris-Roubaix in April and won May’s Tour of California but was not selected.