Chris Froome Crash: Rider Leaves Tour de France 2014 With Injured Wrist

Tour de France 2013 champ Chris Froome failed in his second attempt to claim the tournament title after he crashed during the fifth stage of the game on Tuesday.

The rain that lasted throughout the day in northern France made it worse for the Team Sky rider who fell for the second time in two days at a spot about 70 kilometers away from the finish line, The Scotsman reports.

The Briton athlete, according to the same report, was seen holding his wrist after he fell on the road. The Scotsman adds that he was also limping as he climbed into the team vehicle while he was being assisted by Allan Farrell, the team's doctor. Initial checkup of the athlete revealed that he also suffered bruises on the left side of the body.

Team manager Dave Brailsford was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "Obviously it's devastating news for Chris but when you have a setback you have to roll with it. One man's loss is another man's opportunity."

Brailsford adds that that the team now puts its hopes to new leader Richie Porte. "We really believe in Richie. He had a slow start to the season and is maybe fresher than he would normally be coming into this stage of the season. He has shown great ability and courage to ride over the cobbles the way he did, and given the way he is climbing, we have an exciting couple of weeks to come," the team manager said.

The Scotsman also notes that the Australian Porte has provided needed support for Froome last year. He is currently placed eighth at the tournament.

But the same report says that the Tour de France could become a close battle between Italian Vincenzo Nibali and Alberto Contador. 

Froome is the second well-known rider to exit the Tour due to an injury, The Scotsman states. On Saturday, Mark Cavendish also suffered a shoulder injury because of a high-speed crash in Harrogate. Daily Mail notes that Cavendish has already undergone a "successful" shoulder operation after his ligaments were damaged because of the accident during the Tour. It turns out that Cavendish collided with fellow racer Simon Gerrans while they were sprinting towards the finish line, says the outlet.

The athlete, according to Daily Mail, will not be able to participate in the Commonwealth games in Glasgow because of his injuries. Froome, meanwhile, is expected to come back at the La Vuelta a España next month, according to The Guardian.