Greig Leach

This Tour has been full of surprises and today was no exception. I don't think I have ever seen the race stopped due to a large crash in the peloton. Ever. I do remember a protest stopping the race on more than one occasion, but not to allow those who had fallen to get themselves back up and into the race. It wasn't until I heard the explanation on race radio, that I understood the need for the stoppage. So many riders were needing medical care with two going out of the race and off to hospital, that there weren't going to be enough ambulances available should anything else happen. With the occasional showers making the roads very slippery, more crashes were a distinct possibility. So they held the race until more ambulances could be recruited.