Tour de France 2017: Dan Martin rode 12 stages with a broken back… still finished sixth overall

ByTom Bennett

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.

Porte's terrible crash with Martin ends his campaign

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.

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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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