Tour de France 2017: Dan Martin rode 12 stages with a broken back… still finished sixth overall
Updated 28/07/2017 at 12:14 GMT
Irish cyclist Dan Martin has revealed that he fractured two vertebrae in his crash on Stage 9 of the 2017 Tour de France.
The Quick-Step Floors rider collided at high speed with a rock face in the incident that ruled Richie Porte out of the race.
But Martin rode on for the remainder of the three-week stage race and finished a remarkable sixth overall, despite being barely able to walk.
The result was Martin’s best at a Grand Tour and the best by any Irish cyclist in 30 years, but a hospital scan has revealed that extent of the damage done.
“Diagnosis of two small fractures took me by surprise,” Martin said in a social media post.
“Shows how powerful the mind is in pushing through. No wonder I couldn't stand up straight!”
The injuries have forced the rider to withdraw from this weekend’s race in San Sebastian and will keep Martin out of action for a minimum of three weeks.
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