Mark Cavendish abandons Tour of Britain after crash on stage six
Last Updated: 12/09/15 11:53am
Mark Cavendish has been forced to pull out of the Aviva Tour of Britain after crashing early on stage six.
The Manxman hit a parked car after the peloton was forced to ride tight to one side of the road by a crosswind.
He escaped serious injury in the incident, but his Etixx - Quick-Step team said he will require a period of rest.
A statement read: "As consequence of today's crash during Aviva Tour of Britain Stage 6, Mark Cavendish withdrew from the race and was transported to the Alexandra Hospital in Stockport for further examination of his left shoulder.
"The X-rays underlined no fracture, or AC dislocation, of his shoulder, but a contusion was diagnosed. Cavendish will have to respect some days of rest before resuming training."
Cavendish tweeted: "Gutted to end @TourofBritain. Hit a parked car, went down on my shoulder & left in an ambulance. At least @MATTEOTRENTIN won in the end! Thanks to @theshoulderdoc (who also did my surgery last year) for seeing me so quickly! Relieved there's no break or dislocation this time!"
Cavendish had been using the Tour of Britain as preparation for the UCI Road World Championships, which will be held in Richmond, United States, from September 19-27.
He was named in the Great Britain squad earlier on Friday and had been expected to be one of the British team's leaders in the men's road race.
