Tour de France crashes make more victims - Two more riders withdraw ahead of stage 10

The many crashes of the Tour de France have been leaving lingering effects. After João Almeida withdrew from the race this Sunday after the injuries sustained on previous days, German national champion Georg Zimmermann and Marijn van den Berg have now left the race for the very same reasons.

It has been a first week full of falls and that has been taking a toll on several teams who have been losing important riders. After the likes of Filippo Ganna and Jasper Philipsen were forced to leave the race right on it's first days, the departure of João Almeida marks the first serious hit in the field of the GC contenders - in the same fall, Jack Haig was taken out of the race and Bahrain - Victorious teammate Santiago Buitrago lost many minutes and the ambition of finishing in the Top10.

Marijn van den Berg was a victim of a crash right on the first stage of the race, whilst being in the leading echelon that would go on to fight for the stage win. Whilst EF Education-EasyPost managed to get a victory in the meantime with Ben Healy, the health situation of the Dutchman didn't improve and he was not able to contest any of the sprints in the first week. The American team confirmed his departure this morning as he battles on with the effects of the crash.

During stage 9, in the tense racing that happened due to the strong winds present, there was a notable crash of Georg Zimmermann of Intermarché - Wanty. After compatriot and teammate Jonas Rutsch crashed hard the day before, the breakaway specialist hit the deck and carried many wounds all the way to the finish in Chatearoux. He received stitches to the elbow after finishing the stage and had deep wounds in his left thigh but was determined to start today's stage. But this Monday morning the team decided that this would be unwise together with the rider who is another significant departure for the race.