In-form Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) is possibly out of the Tour de France after crashing heavily at the finish of the French Championships today. His crash followed on from a move by Anthony Roux (FDJ.fr), who was subsequently disqualified by race commissaires.
Victory went to the outsider, Steven Tronet of the continental team Auber 93. Tony Gallopin was awarded silver after Roux had been disqualified, with Sylvain Chavanel in third. Bouhanni crossed the line 3’30” after Tronet in 43rd position. He was in obvious discomfort, and when he emerged from the team bus afterwards, he refused to answer reporters’ questions.
The Cofidis rider has been in great form lately. At the Critérium du Dauphiné, he won two stages and the points classfication. More recently, he took victory in Halle-Ingooigem.
Afterwards, Bouhanni tweeted the picture below showing his injuries, with the message: “Surely out of the Tour. Rib is cracked or broken. I’ll give more news shortly.”
