Ineos co-leader Geraint Thomas was among those to crash, reportedly suffering a dislocated shoulder, while Jumbo's Robert Gesink was forced to quit the race as a result of his injuries.
The crash, which came just 37 kilometres into the 183 sprint stage from Lorient to Pontivy, came about after a touch of wheels at the front of the peloton. Thomas hit the deck first, and could be seen clutching his collarbone/shoulder area afterwards.
Gesink, meanwhile, had nowhere to go and somersaulted over Thomas. The Dutchman, a key domestique for race favourite Primož Roglič, abandoned the race soon afterwards, though his injuries have not yet been confirmed.
Tony Martin was also held up by the crash and waited for Gesink to be tended to before setting off again.
Walloon broadcaster RTBF reported that Thomas had suffered a dislocated shoulder in the crash, though that news has not yet been officially confirmed by his team.
Luke Rowe, Jonathan Castroviejo and Dylan Van Baarle dropped back and help Thomas return to the peloton, with the Welshman lying over two minutes down after the crash. Thomas made it back to the main group at 125 kilometres to go.
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Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro Léon.
