Tasmanian cyclist Richie Porte has escaped with scratches and a knock to the head after crashing in Wednesday's 11th stage of the Tour de France. On a day when 2013 Stan Siejka Classic winner and Tour debutant Caleb Ewan claimed the stage win, Porte and four of his Trek-Segafredo teammates were caught up in a pile-up about 30km from the finish line. The 34-year-old was able to rejoin the peloton with the help of his teammates and lost no more time. He remains in 19th position overall, nearly four minutes behind Deceuninck-Quick Step race leader Julian Alaphillipe and 2:47 behind Team Ineos' race favourite and reigning champion Geraint Thomas. RELATED: Frustrated Porte looks ahead to future peaks Frain in pain on Belgian terrain "In the grand scheme of things it wasn't a terrible crash, but I did hit my head fairly hard," Porte told reporters at the conclusion of the stage. "We were up at the front so it was pretty indiscriminate the crash was here. "It's probably a relief to get the first crash over and done with. I hope it doesn't affect me tomorrow - we'll see." Porte has endured a tough few years at the Tour, crashing out on the ninth stage in 2017 and 2018. Thursday's 209.5km 12th stage from Toulouse to Bagnères-de-Bigorre marks the first high altitude stage of the Tour and features two category one climbs. ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
UNFORTUNATE: Richie Porte came off his bike in Wednesday's stage but lost no more time. Picture: Twitter
Tasmanian cyclist Richie Porte has escaped with scratches and a knock to the head after crashing in Wednesday's 11th stage of the Tour de France.
On a day when 2013 Stan Siejka Classic winner and Tour debutant Caleb Ewan claimed the stage win, Porte and four of his Trek-Segafredo teammates were caught up in a pile-up about 30km from the finish line.
The 34-year-old was able to rejoin the peloton with the help of his teammates and lost no more time.
He remains in 19th position overall, nearly four minutes behind Deceuninck-Quick Step race leader Julian Alaphillipe and 2:47 behind Team Ineos' race favourite and reigning champion Geraint Thomas.
"In the grand scheme of things it wasn't a terrible crash, but I did hit my head fairly hard," Porte told reporters at the conclusion of the stage.
"We were up at the front so it was pretty indiscriminate the crash was here.
"It's probably a relief to get the first crash over and done with. I hope it doesn't affect me tomorrow - we'll see."
Porte has endured a tough few years at the Tour, crashing out on the ninth stage in 2017 and 2018.
Thursday's 209.5km 12th stage from Toulouse to Bagnères-de-Bigorre marks the first high altitude stage of the Tour and features two category one climbs.
