Serious abrasions for Cofidis veteran but no fractures reported as he prepares for Vuelta a España
David Moncoutié (Cofidis) was forced to abandon what is his final Tour de France after a crash after just 38km of today’s twelfth stage. The French veteran was ahead of the peloton on the descent of the Col du Grand Cucheron, the first climb of the day, when he went off on a corner and landed in a ditch behind a car. Despite being up on his feet, Moncoutié had lost considerable skin on his left side and appeared as though he may have fractured his collarbone.
Thankfully, the 37-year-old does not appear to have sustained an fractures, but he left the race in tears.
“I’m okay but I am very disappointed to have had to abandon the Tour,” he said via his Cofidis team. “This is the first time that to happen to me. I’ve returned home but I hope get back very quickly and be in shape for the Vuelta [a España]!
“See you soon on the road and thank you for your messages of support,” he added.
Moncoutié was one of many riders to be tipped as the next big Tour rider as he emerged in the post-Festina era, especially as he has always been vehemently against doping. For any number of reasons however, ‘Moncoucou’ never delivered on that perceived potential, and ends his Tour career with just his stage victories from 2004 and 2005.
Assuming he has suffered no fractures – or other ill effects – Moncoutié will be lining up to start his fifth straight Vuelta a España on August 18th. He has taken both a stage victory and the mountains jersey on each of his four appearances in the Spanish race, and will seek to add a fifth to cap his 16-year professional career.