Tour de France 2015: Geraint Thomas suffers spectacular crash on 16th stage

Geraint Thomas was sent smashing into a telegraph pole on a crazy descent at the Tour de France today (Monday 20 July).

The Team Sky rider was hit by an out of control Warren Barguil on a tight corner of the notoriously difficult descent of the Col de Manse into Gap.

Thomas had no chance as Barguil banged into him sending the Welshman tumbling into a ditch after banging his head on the pole.

But Thomas, amazingly, was immediately back on a spare bike to finish stage 16 at Gap.

The double Olympic champion, who was sixth in the overall standings, did lose time as team-mate Chris Froome came home with his three minutes 10 seconds lead intact.

Lampre's Ruben Plaza Molina won the 124-mile stage from Bourg-de-Peage after a solo ride from the breakaway group.

Peter Sagan risked all on the crazy descent, where Lance Armstrong famously cyclo-crossed a field after sliding off the road, to try and catch the Spaniard.

But Sagan, who leads the green sprint jersey competition, had to settle for second for the fifth time on the Tour.

Thomas, who stayed sixth but is now five minutes 32 secs down, said: "Everyone knows it's a dodgy descent, I just got taken out - 100% it was a mistake.

"I feel all right for now - I guess the doctor will ask me my name and date of birth soon.

"A doctor did ask me my name. I told him I was Chris Froome.

"A nice Frenchman pulled me out - but I lost my glasses as well. They don't even make them any more."

Thomas rode the 2013 Tour which Froome won with a broken pelvis after a crash on stage one.

But he is set to continue after Tuesday's rest day as the race hits the Alps where he will be a key support rider for Froome.

And his presence will be crucial with Sky losing it's first rider on Monday as Peter Kennaugh quit through illness on the stage.

Froome continues to lead by three minutes 10 seconds from Colombia's Nairo Quintana.

He said: "G's Welsh so he is tough. It was not nice hearing he has crashed, but I am sure he will carry on."