The carnage continued at the Tour de Crash — er, France — yesterday.
Contender Alexandre Vinokourov retired from the race after an accident midway through the 129-mile ninth stage, defending champion Alberto Contador was caught up in a crash of his own and two leading riders were hit by a TV car late, but finished the stage.
Luis Leon Sanchez won the race from Issoire to Saint-Flour. Thomas Voeckler, who finished second, picked up enough time on Thor Hushovd to claim the overall leader’s yellow jersey.
But the real story was another day of blood on the roads — capped when a TV support car swerved into Juan Antonio Flecha, who went down, sending Johnny Hoogerland flying head over pedals into a roadside barbed wire fence.
Today is the first scheduled rest day of the prestigious race.
