Doctors announced that pre-race favourite Richie Porte is “conscious and alert” after he crashed descending the Mont du Chat, the final climb on the ninth stage of the Tour de France today.
Travelling at approximately 72km, the Australian crashed heavily just outside of Lyon, sliding across the road and into the hillside, bringing Quick-Step Floors’ Dan Martin down too.
Medics put Porte in a neck brace and stretchered him to an ambulance, where he was taken to hospital. Having started the day in fifth, his team later confirmed that he was out of the Tour.
The ninth stage proved to be somewhat of a game changer as Geraint Thomas, who was second overall, also crashed, fracturing his collarbone.
His exit from the Tour leaves race leader Chris Froome without his right hand man.
