Irish rider Nicolas Roche's Tour de France could be over after he was involved in a nasty crash in today's stage.
The Team Sunweb veteran was in the centre of a big crash inside the peleton early on in today's flat stage from Île d'Oléron to Île de Ré.
With crosswinds leading to a fall in the bunch, a pile up saw at least three riders taking a nasty fall while others were thrown off the road into the grass.
Sam Bewley has already abandoned the race due to the crash, and with Roche needing assistance to get back to his feet, his chances of completing the three week race have been dealt a major blow.
Roche has enjoyed an encouraging start to the grand tour, and was involved in some breakaway groups as he dialled back the clock.
The 36-year-old is competing in his tenth Tour de France, his best finish came in 2012 when he found himself in 12th place in general classification.
