FOUGERES, France - Riders at the Tour de France staged a symbolic protest on Tuesday to back up a call for safer stage finishes and road security after a series of pile-ups marred the opening days of the 21-day bike race.
Shortly after the start of the 150-kilometre flat run from Redon to Fougeres the entire peloton came to a stop for a brief period, before setting off again at a leisurely pace.
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Monday's stage featured four serious falls with Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan pulling out after breaking his collarbone in four places, former champion Geraint Thomas dislocating his shoulder and 2020 runner-up Primoz Roglic ending his day covered in grazes.
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The falls follow Saturday's opening day where there were two other falls, the first caused by a roadside spectator with over half the peloton coming down in a spectacular domino effect.
AFP