VIDEO | UPDATE: Etoile de Bessèges stage 2 neutralized following mass crash

The second stage of the Etoile de Bessèges is being a tough day on the road, with the race being neutralized with 22 kilometers to go following a mass crash in the peloton.

A breakaway of 6 riders that featured the Belgian classics specialist Dries de Bondt (Alpecin-Fenix) was formed in the early moments of the stage. At around 36 km to the finish a crash occurred in the peloton, that along with echelons made the breakaway split in 4 groups. With the 1st group catching the break on the last 30 km.

The race has been split due to crosswinds, and with 22 kilometers to go a very hard crash took place as the peloton had a narrow section over a bridge. The race has clogged up with medical cars and race convoy blocked behind the bridge, with several riders also injured.  

Due to the size of the crash and the amount of riders affected there wasn't conditions for the race continuing and the race directors decided to neutralize the stage as there were no ambulances to follow it. Fortunately, according to recent information by the teams present at the race, no rider was seriously injured. In the end the sprinters lost a good opportunity to get a stage win in a race that will have more difficulties on the other stages.