Vlasov rode final 50km of Tour gravel stage with fractured ankle | Video

Aleksandr Vlasov's bike tells the story of his gravel stage at the Tour de France, the Russian rider crashing hard with just over 50km to go

Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) is out of the Tour de France after his team said he fractured his ankle in his crash with 50km to go on Sunday's stage 9.

The Russian crashed hard off the road, into a ditch, and his shaky return to his feet caused concern he may have suffered concussion, though still go back on his bike and finished the stage.

His team has confirmed he fractured his ankle and has been forced to leave the race, with the rider posting photos on his social media showing his bike smashed after the incident on Sunday. His departure is a major blow to team mate Primož Roglič.

The Slovenian is hoping to mount a general classification challenge and Vlasov would have been his key asset in the mountains if all have gone according to plan in the race.

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“Unfortunately, Aleks Vlasov will leave the Tour de France due to an ankle fracture. Heal up soon, Aleks,” Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe said in a brief statement.

However, while the team has said a fractured ankle was the issue - and would explain why he was unsteady on his feet as he got back on his bike - remarks by Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) are likely to continue the debate around whether Vlasov was dazed due to concussion.

“I was right next to him when that happened, I was on his right. It was on a normal road, on a descent, and it was fast," Thomas said on the Watts Occurring podcast in a conversation with team mate Laurens De Plus.

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“I went off the road, actually, to avoid his bike and some flying bottles. That was heavy, and I was surprised to see him back. He was puking up as well, he was being sick, wasn’t he?” asked Thomas.

De Plus added: “Yeah, with 4km to go, you were sitting in Vlasov’s wheel and he was puking in front of you, and I was ‘did you see that?’ I don’t think he’ll feel well today.”

Thomas then added: “Surely if they have any sort of concussion protocol, he’ll be out of the race.”

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