Cyclists are tough. Really tough.
It's a sport that is far from forgiving and takes no prisoners. The Tour de France is now into its final few days and took another victim on Wednesday as Shane Archbold had to withdraw from the race.
Exhaustion was not the issue, despite having cycled over 3,000km in just under three weeks, Shane Archbold withdrew from the race after breaking his pelvis.
The Bora-Argon 18 crashed descending one of the mountains on Stage 17, when travelling at 80km/hour. He finished the stage before going for a check-up and realising he broke the bone.
Shane Archbold sits after falling during the 184,5 km 17th stage of the #TDF2016. (Getty) https://t.co/bFsAkbkeSN pic.twitter.com/paEFgwMTYG
— Sports Photos (@sportsphotos) July 20, 2016
The New Zealander's team broke the news last night, with team-mates and rivals both praising the the 27-year-old's bravery in his first Tour de France.
If any1 needs lessons on how 2 be tough as f@#k,go 2 @Theflyingmullet .he even got up & finished the #TDF2016 stage https://t.co/i8fhwSO3B3
— Sam Bennett (@Sammmy_Be) July 20, 2016
Best wishes @Theflyingmullet Nobody deserved to see Paris more after what you did yesterday. Get well soon mate.
— Dan Martin (@DanMartin86) July 21, 2016
Despite the injury, Archbold looked like he was in good spirits on Thursday morning, before his team-mates (including Sam Bennett) prepared for the final time-trial of this year's race.
As long as the mullet isnt cut, its all good. come back soon, peloton misses you! @Theflyingmullet @LeTour #TDF2016 pic.twitter.com/F1qkQmam0e
— BORA – ARGON 18 (@BoraArgon18) July 21, 2016
