Stybar wins, Martin crashes
July 9, 2015
Ettix-Quick Step team director has told French radio station radio station Europe 1, that Tony Martin can no longer compete in the Tour. "It is impossible for Tony to start Friday's stage," Patrick Lefevere explained.
Having taken an X-Ray to determine the extent of his injury, Martin confirmed that he had broken his collarbone via Twitter. "When you are not going very fast, you fall with your whole body weight," Marin said. The 30-year old German took the yellow jersey on Tuesday, and is the second rider to exit the race whilst holding the lead. Fabio Cancellara bowed out on Monday with two broken vertebrae.
The drama came on the steep 850m long, 7.0 percent gradient slope that preceded the final 500m dash to the line. Martin, despite wearing the yellow jersey, was trying to help set up British rider Mark Cavendish for the finish but in doing so, clipped the wheel of Bryan Coquard in front of him, wobbled and fell into the rider to his right, with Vincenzo Nibali next to him, also being brought down.
Defending champion Vincenzo Nibali, who was also involved in the crash, said "I hit my shoulder and leg, it's always problematic when you fall."
Around 10 riders hit the tarmac but as the crash happened in the final 3km, regulations state that all involved would get the same time as those in the group in front of them. It meant no change to the overall standings with 2013 champion Chris Froome 12 seconds behind Martin and Tejay Van Garderen third at 25 seconds. However, the extent of Martin's injuries means we will see a new leader on Friday.
Stybar seals sour win
Czech rider Zdenek Stybar of the Etixx-Quick Step team won the sixth stage of the Tour de France, a 191.5-km ride from Abbeville on Thursday.
Stybar rode home in front of almost no challengers after another crash-filled stage of the Tour. His first stage win was bitter-sweet, as teammate Martin crashed out on the home stretch.
The seventh stage of the Tour, which takes place on Friday, is over 190.5km from Livarot to Fougeres.
apc/ks (AP, AFP)