Defending Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas suffered his third crash in this year’s race when he hit the ground during the 16th stage on Tuesday.

The Team Ineos rider fell off his bike in a right-hand curve with 129 kilometres left in the 177-km ride around Nimes.

He was brought back into the bunch by team mates Dylan van Baarle and Jonathan Castroviejo visibly unhurt.

Thomas, second overall behind leader Julian Alaphilippe of France, fell in the opening stage in Brussels and in the finale of the eighth stage to St Etienne.