Tour de France 2019: Kiwi George Bennett involved in two crashes during 18th stage

Kiwi cyclist George Bennett was in the wars on the 18th stage of the Tour de France after being involved in two crashes on Friday (NZ time). 

During the 208km stage from Embrun to Valloire, Team Jumbo-Visma rider was caught up in two separate incidents and required medical attention after eventually crossing the line. 

The first crash happened more than 100km from the finish when Bennett and Nicolas Roche fell during one of the descents in the Alps. 

The 29-year-old was helped to his feet by a team doctor but his bike was severely damaged, so he eventually rode off on a spare. 

George Bennett on the ground after his first crash with Nicolas Roche.
George Bennett on the ground after his first crash with Nicolas Roche. Photo credit: AAP

Then in the descent of the last climb it went wrong again for Bennett, who crashed for the second time. 

Bennett eventually crossed the line in 27th, nearly 11 minutes behind stage winner Nairo Quintana of Columbia. 

Team Jumbo-Visma tweeted after the stage that Bennett had been earlier of any major injuries, but he would require more tests, including X-Rays. 

The Nelson rider described it as an "arsehole of a day." 

"Thanks for the message, absolute arsehole of a day, but nothing that will stop me getting amongst it tomorrow," Bennett tweeted. 

With three stages remaining, Frenchman Julian Aliphilippe remains in the leader's yellow jersey, 36 minutes ahead of Bennett who is 21st in the general classification. 

Saturday's stage sees the riders cyclin 126.5km from Saint-Jean de Maurienne to Tignes. 

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