Chris Froome slammed into a wall at high speed, suffering multiple fractures

Chris Froome's dream of a fifth Tour de France title this year was over after a gust of wind hurtled him into a wall

Thursday’s fifth stage is a 201km ride through flat planes.

A witness at the scene of the accident said Froome had suffered an open fracture of the femur, and had suffered other injuries too, notably to his elbows.

“I’m the man to beat now, so it’s more complicated when the other guys are all keeping an eye on you.”

“At the end of the race, it went really well with Guillaume Martin. I have to thank him for it. We held out well,” Teuns said.

Chris Froome puts in a strong performance in the opening stage of the Criterium du Dauphine as his preparation for the Tour de France kicks up a gear.

“I just have to stick to the philosophy I’ve always had, which is just to do the best I can do.”

Richard Carapaz becomes the first ever rider from Ecuador to win the Giro d’Italia after pipping two-time winner Vincenzo Nibali by just over a minute.

Ecuador's Richard Carapaz is closing in on his first Giro d’Italia triumph after keeping hold of the leader's pink jersey after the 20th stage.

Miguel Angel Lopez has demanded more respect from fans after he was brought down by a spectator during stage 20 of the Giro d’Italia.

“A big thank you to everyone who supported me when I had a hard time.”

“It’s insane, the dream of a lifetime.”

Colombian Esteban Chaves finished second ahead of Italian Davide Formolo.

Stage winner Ciccone was seen shivering after the race, and had stuffed newspapers into his shirt on the descent of the main climb.

Richard Carapaz, the overall leader of the Giro d'Italia finishes 11 seconds behind 15th stage winner Dario Cataldo.