Horror on Tour de France: Devastating 26mph crash wipes out several riders and leaves leader in agony as race is halted

The Tour de France was temporarily brought to a halt today after one of the worst crashes in the history of the race caused carnage on Stage Three.

Fabian Cancellara, the race leader and wearer of the Yellow Jersey, was involved in the 26mph collision with several other riders with about 30miles left, causing at least four riders to abandon.

The crash was so severe the race had to be stopped for more than 10 minutes as riders received medical treatment, while footage from the immediate aftermath of the pile up showed several riders covered in scrapes and writhing in agony.

Cancellara later announced his final Tour was over. He wrote on Twitter: 'Just left the hospital with a huge disappointment #TDF2015 is over broke some bones on my back again as in spring. #L3/L4right side

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