Canterbury - Spaniard Eduardo Gonzalez claimed the first unwanted statistic of the Tour de France on Sunday following a spectacular crash which forced him out of the race.
Gonzalez, who rides for the modest French team Agritubel - one of two 'wildcard' teams on the race - crashed early in the 203km stage from the heart of London to Canterbury.
The 24-year-old Spaniard, riding his second Tour de France, could not avoid a car from the Caisse d'Epargne team which had braked suddenly in front of him.
According to French television, Gonzalez went over his bike and crashed into the back windscreen, which promptly shattered.
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His crash means the peloton is now down to 188 riders, and leaves Agritubel without a key aid to team leader Juan Miguel Mercado, who won the 10th stage on the race in memorable fashion last year.
Gonzalez, however, is not the first crash victim of the race - that unenviable honour went to Australian Stuart O'Grady, who tumbled at a speed nearing 60km/h during Saturday's 7.9km prologue.
O'Grady began the day still feeling pains in his thigh and his back, however the CSC rider said: "Still in pain, but feeling okay after a good night's sleep." - Sapa-AFP
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