The dangers of the opening week of the Tour de France were evident once again this afternoon, as a number of big-name riders came down in a high-speed crash 2.7km from the finish in Rouen.
CW takes a look at the condition of those who fell today, have been sick and fell in previous stages.
Mark Cavendish (Team Sky)
The world champion tweeted saying: "Ouch..... Crash at 2.5km to finish today. Taken some scuffs to my left side, but I've bounced pretty well again."
Related link: Cavendish and Eisel expected to continue after stage four crash >>>
Bernie Eisel (Team Sky)
Speaking in the post-race press conference, team principal Dave Brailsford confirmed that Eisel has a deep cut in his right eyebrow, and had four stitches sewn in on the Sky bus.
Robbie Hunter (Garmin-Sharp)
A bike hit Hunter's front wheel, forcing him to fall. He landed heavily, and sustained cuts to his left-hand side. Earlier in the day, Hunter visited the race's medical car as he scrapped his right elbow in a crash yesterday.
Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Cannondale)
The Italian also came down in the crash 2.7km from the line, and landed heavily on his right side. Because of the brusing around his hip, Peter Sagan told the press he isn't sure if his team-mate will start tomorrow.
Mark Renshaw (Rabobank)
The Australian tweeted saying that he did not lose much skin but predicted that his hip will be swollen tomorrow.
Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Belisol)
The Belgian powerhouse visited the race doctor complaining about stomach problems. It didn't slow him down in the finale, however, as he played a key role in team-mate Andre Greipel's victory.
Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano)
Kittel did not come down in the big crash, but his recovery from his stomach problems is still slow. Team doctor Edwin Achterberg told the Argos-Shimano website: "He still had some trouble with his stomach, but fortunately he was able to eat something during the stage. Not yet in the way we actually want him to eat, but it's a positive sign. We expect the situation to improve in the coming days."
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar)
Sorry French housewives, Tommy V may not be in the Tour much longer. His right knee, which has caused him problems the past month, is still causing him problems. He has lost over minutes on race leader Fabian Cancellara already, and a big breakaway attempt doesn't seem likely.
Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
Once again, the world time trial champion finished today's stage off the back, riding in with Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank). Both men's left wrists remain in strapping.
GC contender Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) also crashed during the stage, but did not require medical attention.
Only three riders have retired from the race thus far: Kanstantsin Suitsou (Team Sky) broke his fibia, Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) fractured his clavicle and Rabobank's Maarten Tjallingii did not start today's stage after a hospital check-up revealed he broke his hip yesterday. The Dutchman rode 40km to the finish in Boulogne despite the injury.
Tour de France 2012: Latest news
Sky down to eight after Siutsou crash
Kittel recovering from illness
Explaining the three kilometre rule
Sky's embarrassment of riches
Rogers back on form and backing Wiggins in the Tour
Martin to continue in Tour despite fractured wrist
Liquigas coach tips Sagan for future Grand Tour win
Cancellara's win lifts morale in RadioShack team
Tour de France 2012: Teams, riders, start list
Tour 2012: Who will win?
Tour de France 2012 provisional start list
Tour de France 2012 team list
Tour de France 2012: Stage reports
Stage three: Sagan runs away with it in Boulogne
Stage two: Cavendish takes 21st Tour stage victory
Stage one: Sagan wins at first attempt
Prologue: Cancellara wins, Wiggins second
Tour de France 2012: Comment, analysis, blogs
Analysis: How much time could Wiggins gain in Tour's time trials
CW's Tour de France podcasts
Blog: Tour presentation - chasing dreams and autographs
Comment: Cavendish the climber
Tour de France 2012: Photo galleries
Stage three by Graham Watson
Stage two by Andy Jones
Stage two by Graham Watson
Stage one by Graham Watson
Prologue photo gallery by Andy Jones
Prologue photo gallery by Roo Rowler
Prologue photo gallery by Graham Watson
Tour de France 2012: Team presentation
Sky and Rabobank Tour de France recce
Tour de France 2012: Live text coverage
Stage three live coverage
Cycling Weekly's live text coverage schedule
Tour de France 2012: TV schedule
ITV4 live schedule
British Eurosport live schedule
Tour de France 2012: Related links
Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Cavendish
Brief history of the Tour de France
Tour de France 2011: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
1989: The Greatest Tour de France ever
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
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