REIGNING CHAMPION CHRIS FROOME suffered an early crash on Thursday’s fourth stage of the Tour de France but was able to carry on.
The 29-year-old Briton was knocked over after two riders touched in the peloton and one swerved into him.
Television pictures then showed the Team Sky leader with ripped shorts, grazes on his elbow and leg down the left side, while he was seen grabbing his left wrist after he got up.
He dropped back to the medical car for treatment.
Race doctor Florence Pommerie told France Televisions that the champion’s wounds were superficial.
“They’re essentially a few scratches, but that’s got to hurt nevertheless. He also hurt his wrist, but we’ll have to wait and see how it goes,” he said.
Froome’s left thigh was strapped up and he was given a bandage for his right hand, while he was later seen flexing his left hand as well.
The crash took down several other riders, including Dutch outsider for the overall victory Bauke Mollema of Belkin.
Additional reporting from AFP.
