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Shocking photos of injuries in the 2015 Tour de France
Stage 3 of the Tour de France saw a massive double crash which left many cyclists with fractures, scrapes and bruising. These grizzly pictures show just what it takes to compete in one of the world's top sporting events.
The 2015 Tour de France may only be in the fourth stage but it has already been full of action, excitement and injuries. During Stage 3 on Monday the 6th of July, the race had to be temporarily halted after a horrific double crash brought twenty cyclists down.
Whilst the majority of cyclists escaped with a few grazes and scratches and managed to complete the stage, others suffered more serious injuries. All on all, 6 cyclists were forced to withdraw from Le Tour, Cycling News reports.
In a true test to endurance, race leader Fabian Cancellara, who was involved in the crash, managed to complete the stage despite suffering two fractured vertebrae.
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Take a look at these excruciating injuries:
The crash, 65km from the end of Stage 3 that resulted in the injuries below:
William Bonnet among the most badly injured
William Bonnet, who was the first to fall after the crash, sustained a head injury with a fracture to the second cervical vertebra in his neck. He suffered no neurological damage but will be required to undergo urgent surgery to restore stability in the neck, Sportal explains. He also suffered a number of serious lacerations to the skin.
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Laurens Ten Dam battles forward
Laurens Ten Dam from The Netherlands dislocated his shoulder in the accident and whilst initial reports stated that he had been forced to abandon the race, the Lotto-JumboNL cyclist managed to continue after receiving medical attention.
Henderson escapes with less serious injuries
New Zealand's Gregory Henderson crossed the finish line despite being involved in the wreckage that ruined the chances of so many of his competitors.
End of the road for Fabian Cancellara
Race leader on at the time, Fabian Cancellara from Switzerland was forced to withdraw from the Tour de France after suffering two transverse process fractures to the vertebrae at the lower back. According to a statement by sponsor Trek Factory Racing, the injuries were to the C3 and C4 vertebrae.
Cancellara is disappointed that he cannot continue after suffering a similar injury last year, "The team was on a high with the yellow jersey and were very motivated to defend it. We have had a lot of crashes and injuries since the start of the season, and we finally had a great 24 hours but now it's back to bad luck. One day you win, one day you lose."
Michael Matthews rides on
Michael Matthews from Australia suffered severe bruising to the ribs and a nasty-looking abrasion to his upper thigh. He explained to the Sydney Morning Herald that the injury to his leg isn't "that bad" but his ribs and back are causing him a lot of pain after a number of cyclists rode over him.
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Johan van Summeren's back injury
Belgium's Johan van Summeren's jersey was badly ripped and burned during the crash. He suffered an injury to the back as well as road rash on his legs and knees. He explained to cycling news that the accident was absolute "carnage"and that he wasn't sure how he would feel the next day, "Tomorrow, either I will feel good, or it will be very painful. Honestly, I don't know what to expect."
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Daniel Oss puts on a brave face
Daniel Oss from Italy emerged from the crash with few visible injuries although his nose and cheeks were cut up and bleeding. After the race he tweeted a picture of his bloody face with the caption, "The world's toughest sport".
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Laura Newnham
Sports Injuries Expert
Adrian Rotunno is a medical doctor in the Sports & Exercise Medicine fellowship at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, and qualified physiotherapist. Team physician for Dimension Data pro-cycling, and Boland Rugby. Special interests include endurance sport, in particular cycling, as well as contact sports.
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