Porte crashes out of Tour de France as Froome forges ahead

RICHIE Porte is out of the Tour de France after sustaining serious injuries in a horror crash on stage nine.

The Australian came unstuck on the tricky descent at Mont du Chat, losing control on a twist in the road while travelling at 72.5 kph.

That resulted in a sickening collision with Dan Martin that left Porte with a broken pelvis and a fractured collarbone.

Here is a video of the @richie_porte @DanMartin86 crash #TDF2017 pic.twitter.com/UNpUsOBRIF

— cyclingnieuws (@cyclingnieuws1) July 9, 2017

“Normally, a fractured clavicle and pelvis would require four to six weeks’ recovery, providing there are no complications,” said Max Testa said, team doctor for BMC Racing.

“If everything goes to plan, Richie could be back on the bike at the beginning of August and slowly build his fitness up from there.

“Based on Richie’s recovery, we will re-evaluate his program for the rest of the season in consultation with BMC Racing Team management.”

Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas also crashed out as Rigoberto Uran claimed the stage.

Relieved to finish safely but thoughts are with everyone that crashed today, especially @GeraintThomas86 & @richie_porte ? #TDF2017

— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) July 9, 2017

With Porte gone, yellow jersey holder Chris Froome has a clean run at his fourth general classification title in five years.

The British rider is plunged into -303.03 in the outright betting at Sportsbet.com.au.

His nearest competitor is Team Astana’s Fabio Aru at +350, with Romain Bardet next in line on +1100.

2017 Tour de France outright winner

-303.03 – Chris Froome

+350 – Fabio Aru

+1100 – Romain Bardet

+2500 – Jakob Fuglsang

+4000 – Daniel Martin

+5000 – Rigoberto Uran

+6600 – Nairo Quintana

+15000 – Simon Yates

+20000 – Mikel Landa

(More quoted)

Market courtesy of Sportsbet.com.au

Kittel and Greipel in green jersey duel as Demare bows out

Porte and Thomas were not the only notable casualties from stage nine.

The gruelling slog from Nantua to Chambery claimed no fewer than 12 riders, a number of whom missed the time cut.

Among that group was Arnaud Demare, who was sitting second in the points classification.

His exit leaves Marcel Kittel as the -277.78 favourite to end the also-absent Peter Sagan’s stranglehold on the green jersey.

Team Sunweb’s Michael Matthews (+225) is keeping him honest, even if the Australian admitted last week that the Tour 2017 circuit did not quite fit his eye.

It is a big leap of faith from there to +4000 chance Andre Greipel, who is nevertheless rated as Kittel’s closest challenger for stage 10 on Tuesday.

Stage 10 betting: Perigueux/Bergerac

-175.44 – Marcel Kittel

+500 – Andre Greipel

+1000 – Alexander Kristoff

+1200 – Edvald Boasson Hagen

+1600 – Nacer Bouhanni, Dylan Groenewegen

+1800 – Michael Matthews

+4000 – John Degenkolb

+5000 – Sonny Colbrelli, Daniel McLay

+8000 – Davide Cimolai, Rudiger Selig

(More quoted)

2017 Tour de France points winner

-277.78 – Marcel Kittel

+225 – Michael Matthews

+4000 – Andre Greipel

+5000 – Alexander Kristoff

+10000 – Edvald Boasson Hagen

+20000 – Sonny Colbrelli

(More quoted)

Markets courtesy of Sportsbet.com.au