Janez Brajkovic crashes, Tour de France 2012, stage three

The dangers of the opening week of the Tour de France were evident once again this afternoon, as a number of big-name riders came down in a high-speed crash 2.7km from the finish in Rouen.

CW takes a look at the condition of those who fell today, have been sick and fell in previous stages.

Mark Cavendish (Team Sky)

The world champion tweeted saying: "Ouch..... Crash at 2.5km to finish today. Taken some scuffs to my left side, but I've bounced pretty well again."

Related link: Cavendish and Eisel expected to continue after stage four crash >>>

Bernie Eisel (Team Sky)

Speaking in the post-race press conference, team principal Dave Brailsford confirmed that Eisel has a deep cut in his right eyebrow, and had four stitches sewn in on the Sky bus.

Robbie Hunter (Garmin-Sharp)

A bike hit Hunter's front wheel, forcing him to fall. He landed heavily, and sustained cuts to his left-hand side. Earlier in the day, Hunter visited the race's medical car as he scrapped his right elbow in a crash yesterday.

Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Cannondale)

The Italian also came down in the crash 2.7km from the line, and landed heavily on his right side. Because of the brusing around his hip, Peter Sagan told the press he isn't sure if his team-mate will start tomorrow.

Mark Renshaw (Rabobank)

The Australian tweeted saying that he did not lose much skin but predicted that his hip will be swollen tomorrow.

Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Belisol)

The Belgian powerhouse visited the race doctor complaining about stomach problems. It didn't slow him down in the finale, however, as he played a key role in team-mate Andre Greipel's victory.

Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano)

Kittel did not come down in the big crash, but his recovery from his stomach problems is still slow. Team doctor Edwin Achterberg told the Argos-Shimano website: "He still had some trouble with his stomach, but fortunately he was able to eat something during the stage. Not yet in the way we actually want him to eat, but it's a positive sign. We expect the situation to improve in the coming days."

Thomas Voeckler (Europcar)

Sorry French housewives, Tommy V may not be in the Tour much longer. His right knee, which has caused him problems the past month, is still causing him problems. He has lost over minutes on race leader Fabian Cancellara already, and a big breakaway attempt doesn't seem likely.

Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)

Once again, the world time trial champion finished today's stage off the back, riding in with Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank). Both men's left wrists remain in strapping.

GC contender Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) also crashed during the stage, but did not require medical attention.

Only three riders have retired from the race thus far: Kanstantsin Suitsou (Team Sky) broke his fibia, Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) fractured his clavicle and Rabobank's Maarten Tjallingii did not start today's stage after a hospital check-up revealed he broke his hip yesterday. The Dutchman rode 40km to the finish in Boulogne despite the injury.

Tour de France 2012: Latest news

Sky down to eight after Siutsou crash

Kittel recovering from illness

Explaining the three kilometre rule

Sky's embarrassment of riches

Rogers back on form and backing Wiggins in the Tour 

Martin to continue in Tour despite fractured wrist

Liquigas coach tips Sagan for future Grand Tour win

Cancellara's win lifts morale in RadioShack team

Tour de France 2012: Teams, riders, start list

Tour 2012: Who will win?

Tour de France 2012 provisional start list

Tour de France 2012 team list

Tour de France 2012: Stage reports

Stage three: Sagan runs away with it in Boulogne

Stage two: Cavendish takes 21st Tour stage victory

Stage one: Sagan wins at first attempt

Prologue: Cancellara wins, Wiggins second

Tour de France 2012: Comment, analysis, blogs

Analysis: How much time could Wiggins gain in Tour's time trials

CW's Tour de France podcasts

Blog: Tour presentation - chasing dreams and autographs

Comment: Cavendish the climber

Tour de France 2012: Photo galleries

Stage three by Graham Watson

Stage two by Andy Jones

Stage two by Graham Watson

Stage one by Graham Watson

Prologue photo gallery by Andy Jones

Prologue photo gallery by Roo Rowler

Prologue photo gallery by Graham Watson

Tour de France 2012: Team presentation

Sky and Rabobank Tour de France recce

Tour de France 2012: Live text coverage

Stage three live coverage

Cycling Weekly's live text coverage schedule

Tour de France 2012: TV schedule

ITV4 live schedule

British Eurosport live schedule

Tour de France 2012: Related links

Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Cavendish

Brief history of the Tour de France

Tour de France 2011: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

1989: The Greatest Tour de France ever

 

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Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.