Le Tour - One Day Ahead: Crash won't stop Geoff Thomas' team
Former Wolves player Geoff Thomas and his team have made it through the first three days of their gruelling Le Tour - One Day Ahead challenge, with a crash on day two threatening to derail the trip for two riders.
Starting with stage one in Utrecht on Friday, the 11-strong peloton arrived in Huy last night (SUN), and still has 3,000km and 18 stages to go before the big finish in Paris on July 25.
Last night, Thomas said it had been an 'incredible day', with the team working together well as they conquered tough rolling hills over 105 miles, with a steep wall called Mur de Huy to finish - 24 per cent at its steepest.
Today (MON) will see the riders take on their longest stage - and first cobbles - over 223.5km from Seraing to Cambrai.
At the end of day two leukaemia survivor Thomas Tweeted the day saw the first crash of the challenge, as 'pure accident took a few down': "12yrs ago today I was told I have 3 months to live. From today it will be remembered for the bravery of 2 brave ladies @helengoth @brand_mel.
"Expansion strip on a bridge took the girls down. Great to see @brand_mel & @helengoth finish the day."
Melissa Brand, an investment analyst from Selly Oak, and Helen Russell, a former World and European Duathlon and Triathlon AG Champion, were involved in the crash.
Brand said she had 'just a scratch', but Russell needed 10 stitches and still went on to finish the stage.
