Richard Carapaz crashes out of contention but holds off meaningful damage

After Egan Bernal's recent accident stress rose once again in the INEOS bubble as Richard Carapaz hit the deck and looked in pain after a crash in the final descent of today's stage of the Etoile de Bessèges, however fears have been put aside.

Carapaz crossed the line 9:32 down on stage winner Benjamin Thomas after following the big moves on the climbs. He's lost the opportunity of fighting for the overall win but in the bigger picture the outcome was not as bad as it could be.

INEOS Grenadiers communicated after the stage on the state of the Equatorian climber: "Carapaz was assessed by the team's medical staff, receiving treatment for abrasions and contusions. He will continue to be monitored overnight ahead of stage four."

Alongside him, also Equipo Kern Pharma's Daniel Mendez crashed, seemingly harder into a ditch. Both riders however got up on their feet and completed the stage, in a display of resilience that is characteristic of pro riders.