Injured Craddock passes $100,000 in donations
PARIS: Lawson Craddock passed $100,000 in donations for the Greater Houston Cycling Foundation as he continues to ride the Tour de France injured.
The EF Education First rider crashed on the opening stage of the race, fracturing his shoulder bone and cutting his face, but battled on to cross the finish line.
Craddock has since continued to race and vowed to donate $100 to the foundation for each completed stage, while also giving cycling fans the opportunity to chip in. “I came into the race extremely motivated for a great month of racing,” Craddock posted on the fundraising page.
“Unfortunately, this all went pear-shaped when I crashed during the first stage, fracturing my scapula and having a cut above my eye that needed stitches.
“I fought on for the next 50 miles to finish the stage before an x-ray revealed my injuries. Not being one to give in, I told myself that I wouldn’t stop the race unless it was absolutely nec- essary.”
He added: “I have truly been blown away by how many people have offered to donate as well. It has been overwhelming and extremely motivating to continue this race.”
Craddock has set various revised targets as the total rises, with the latest mark, $102,100, passed after Tuesday’s stage 10.
Funds will be directed towards the Alkek Velodrome, where the outdoor concrete velodrome has suffered due to the Texas heats and Hurricane Harvey.
THOMAS TAKES 11TH STAGE, YELLOW JERSEY
LA ROSIÈRE: Welshman Geraint Thomas soared to victory in the 11th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday to take the overall leader’s yellow jersey.
Thomas, of Team Sky, completed an impressive ride on the 108.5km stage from Albertville to the summit of La Rosiere by overtaking Spaniard Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton) i n the closing metres.
Dutchman Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) finished second at 20sec, just ahead of Sky leader and four-time champion Chris Froome. “It’s unreal I didn’t expect it at all,” Thomas said.
“I knew there was a good chance (of going into yellow) but I didn’t know how everyone else was going to ride.
“Wearing the yellow jersey is a massive honour. I managed to do it last year and to do it two years in a row is really nice.”