Rest day.

Eden said:

South Australian Stuart O'Grady hit the tarmac hard and impacted with a guard rail after sliding out on a bend. O'Grady, who experienced glory in France after becoming the first Australian Paris-Roubaix victor in April, is out of the Tour with fractures to five of his front ribs, three in his back lower ribs, a punctured lung and a fracture shoulder.

Ouch.

Powerful Pete said:

Ouch.

Yeah - big time ouch. Is it my imagination of have the past 2 years been a little more crash prone? Since there's no real stong favorite, and no real "Patrone" in the peleton, guys are taking more risks?

Eden said:

Yeah - big time ouch. Is it my imagination of have the past 2 years been a little more crash prone? Since there's no real stong favorite, and no real "Patrone" in the peleton, guys are taking more risks?

I think it comes and goes. There have been bad years with lots of crashes and injuries, and then better periods. People are definitely taking risks, but that is part and parcel of being a pro cyclist.

What I am always surprised is how these guys do not crash more often than they do...