Rain and slippery roads caused a number of crashes during the first stage of the Tour de France. Worst team victim was John Degenkolb. He crashed on his both knees with 65 km to go, managed to finish the race alone and arrived some minutes out of time limit. The jury applied the rule strictly and John Degenkolb’s Tour de France is over.
X-rays didn’t reveal any fracture but to start in stage 2 would have been difficult anyway.
“The problem is especially my right knee, but the knee cap is okay,” said John Degenkolb. “There was however a big impact on the bursa and the knee is swollen. I am deeply disappointed to leave the Tour like this, especially on the first day. There is nothing we can do. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I think that also for my health it is better to go home. The season is not over yet.”
Philippe Gilbert was involved in a bad crash as well and finished 11 minutes behind and was brought to hospital to check his left knee. At this moment (10.45 PM) he is still in hospital.
