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Tour de France: Gilbert & Valls with a broken kneecap and femur respectively

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Gilbert Valls Degenkolb Tour de France

Cycling: The Tour de France is only one day old and three riders can no longer compete in the second stage. After John Degenkolb's time limit, it's now clear: Philippe Gilbert and Rafael Valls are out too.

Lotto – Soudal loses Gilbert & Degenkolb

The Tour de France shows already on first day, why it is also known as the Tour of Sorrows. Not that it would be enough to race across France over 21 days in wind and weather. There are also falls, pain and, unfortunately, fractures. And unfortunately it got hit again Philip Gilbert. Like many of his colleagues, the 38-year-old fell and broke his kneecap. Bitter, because the Belgian suffered this injury two years ago after a fall in the Tour de France. Just like back then, he finished the stage yesterday despite the severe pain. As a result, the Lotto – Soudal team lost two drivers on the first day. John Degenkolb is not allowed to compete today, after falling out of the time limit yesterday. The German also suffered knee injuries from a fall. With great pain he struggled alone over 65 kilometers to the finish line - in the end in vain.

Valls breaks his femur

As could be seen in the TV pictures, yesterday's first leg of the Tour de France to Rafael Valls caught. The professional from the Bahrain – McLaren team fell at least twice. The Spaniard lay on the ground for a long time after his first fall, but then got back on his bike. He finished 175th and was penultimate and only one place ahead of John Degenkolb. In the evening it turned out that the 33-year-old broke his thigh. Of course he cannot continue the Tour de France. The second stage will start with 173 drivers.

Tags:John DegenkolbLotto SoudalNewsPhilip GilbertRafael VallsTour de France

More than Michael Behringer

Cycling with all its tactics, stage analyses, placements and forecasts are Michael Behringer's great passion. In 1996 he tracked his first Tour de France. Since then he has observed almost every race. His passion for cycling has been with him for over two decades. There is no end in sight.