Tour de France: Sagan avoids serious injury in high-speed crash
Peter Sagan's hopes of winning a record-tying fifth green jersey remain intact after a scary crash in stage 17.
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COL DE PORTET, France (VN) — Three-time world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) avoided serious injury Wednesday in a high-speed crash in the Pyrénées and vowed to continue in the Tour de France.
Sagan crashed alone descending the Col de Val Louron-Azet in Wednesday’s stage 17. There was no video of the crash, but Sagan said he misjudged a corner and crashed into some trees. He crossed the line 134th, safely within the time with his green points jersey and shorts torn and bloodied.
“I made a mistake. I crashed on a corner,” Sagan said. “I was braking but it was not enough. I flew into the forest and I hit a big rock with my ass.”
Tour doctors examined Sagan at the finish-line medical unit. The initial diagnosis revealed no broken bones. The Tour’s points jersey leader is expected to start Thursday’s stage 18.
“For sure I’m injured but it could be worse. I think I have some scratches and I hit my muscle and my ass,” Sagan said. “I hope it’s going to be better in one or two days.”
Sagan’s close call comes just a day after a frightful crash involving Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step) who fell into a ravine in Tuesday’s stage and did not start Wednesday with a fractured kneecap.
Sagan is just days away from winning a sixth green points jersey in Paris. The Slovak has been on a tear throughout this Tour. He has won three stages and has an insurmountable advantage in the points competition. All he has to do is make it to Paris.
With another sprint opportunity in the cards Thursday, Sagan vows to start the stage.
“I hope it’s going to be better in one or two days,” Sagan said. “It would be very easy to go home just two or three days before Paris. We will see. Now I’m up for the race, we’ll see tomorrow morning.”
