Cycling-First stage of Tour de France marred by two huge crashes

[ASFN Admin]

LANDERNEAU, France (Reuters) -A roadside spectator holding a cardboard sign caused a massive pile-up during the first stage of the Tour de France, which left several top riders being held up on Saturday, while another huge pileup with 7.5 km left brought down Chris Froome and others. In the first crash, German Tony Martin was sent tumbling when he rode straight into the sign, which said "Allez Opi-Omi" (Come on granddad-granny, in a mix of French and German) amid scenes of chaos with 47 km left. Overall contenders Tao Geoghegan Hart of Britain, as well as Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez, were among the riders being held up and lost considerable time on the opening day of the three-week race.

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