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news
Philippe Gilbert 2018 Tour de france crash.JPG“I’ve had a lucky escape” – Philippe Gilbert on Tour de France horror crash (+ video)
Philippe Gilbert has said he “had a lucky escape” after yesterday’s crash in the Tour de France that had TV viewers fearing the worst after he plunged over a parapet. The 35-year-old finished the stage, but it was later discovered that he had broken a kneecap, and the former world champion has now withdrawn from the race.
Out alone at the front of the race, the Quick Step Floors rider lost control of his bike and was flung head-first over a wall and into a ravine on the descent of the Col de Portet d’Aspet.
CRASH! @PhilippeGilbert can't regain control of his bike, disappears over roadside barrier and flies into the undergrowth in the middle of this descent. He re-emerges moments later and bravely returns to the saddle. #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/nmj0KzK55K
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) July 24, 2018
It was a heart-in-mouth moment for anyone watching on TV, but shortly afterwards, the Belgian was shown on screen giving a thumbs-up to the TV cameras as he remounted his bike and completed the remaining 60 kilometres of the stage.
Gilbert, unsurprisingly, received the day’s combativity award at the end of the 218 kilometre stage from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon, won by his team mate Julian Alaphilippe.
But it was only when he was checked over at a hospital in Toulouse yesterday evening that it was discovered he had fractured his patella.
Thank you all for the support after yesterday’s crash. I have done everything I could to continue in @LeTour, but unfortunately it’s not longer possible with a fracture of the patella. As always I will come back stonger! #TourDePhil #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/FVobfmxhfz
— PHILIPPE GILBERT (@PhilippeGilbert) July 25, 2018
"I want to say that I’m happy to be here after that tough moment," he said.
"This isn’t how I wanted to finish my Tour and leaving it like this really hurts.
"I crashed and it was all my fault. I simply took the wrong line.
"I fell onto rocks and, when I landed, I thought I’d been broken apart.
“I’ve had a lucky escape," he added.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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16 comments
Why oh why isn’t it compulsory for cyclists to wear pads on their knee knobs - and elbows? It’s just common sense, isn’t it?
Amidst all the usual arguments about helmet use, it's hard to explain why no one calls for gloves, elbow and knee protection to be used by all cyclists actually. Hand and limb injuries are the most common amongst cyclists. As a BMXer, I've a stack of elbow and knee pads of various shapes and sizes and to me now, it just seems wrong to be riding any kind of bicycle without my full finger Troy Lee gloves.
Ouch
!
His photo of his knees: https://twitter.com/PhilippeGilbert/status/1022061942104567808
Yeah, at the time with the adrenaline/shock you keep going and then it blows up/pain kicks in.
I got a fractured elbow after an RTC some years back, refused ambulance (police were going to leave my bike at the scene) so got a sling and cycled the 16 miles back home via the dual carriageway, hit 46mph on the downhill section one handed, was just easier to let the bike run.
By time I got home and my anger/adrenaline had abated it all got massively painful.
Hope he gets fixed up and can do something at the back end of the season.
Should have been wearing a helmet...Oh hang on
He was, hence why no head injury.......
FFS. He also wasn't using a spinal board, so should he actually have a broken back?
Just playing devils advocate, hirsute always tries to put in the "helmet" bit so just firing one back at him.
And you got that from one news item discussion?
FYI, I object to black and white claims on complex subjects and people making assertions in the manner of 'argument from authority' or making an assertion which they dress up as a conclusion based on an appropriate evaluation of the evidence.
No, from nigh on every inews item that you comment on.
I'm flattered you take such an interest, although confirmation bias seems more appropriate.
60k on a fractured kneecap
Chapeau seems to hardly cover it.
Only a stress fracture, run it off...
Makes me feel better about mine - needs showing to footballers!
Dear lord don't do that. They'd need 6 months of intensive physical and mental therapy after just watching it!
Hang on...that would mean no football....on 2nd thoughts email it to all the players