Worst Crashes of 2015

Crashing is a part of cycling. Much like concussions are a part of football and hit batters are a part of baseball, we try to avoid it, but every cyclist has felt that split-second of utter helplessness followed by another split-second of realization: My body is going to hit the pavement?hard.

Here are the worst crashes of 2015:

Geraint Thomas Crashes Into a Telephone Pole

During the final descent of the 16th stage of the Tour de France, Team Sky's super domestique, Geraint Thomas, collided with Warren Barguil during a sharp turn. Despite subsequently running into a telephone pole, the Welsh rider was not injured and finished the stage.

A Pile-Up at the Start of the Cyclocross National Championships

Few things encapsulate the chaos of cyclocross better than this 50-second video. An accident occurred within the first 50 yards of the 2015 USA National Championships, causing a swift domino effect on the tightly packed field. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries and all were able to complete the race.

Tour de France Crashes Force Yellow Jersey to Leave Race

A mere brush of the shoulder or touch of the wheel can send multiple riders to the pavement. In both instances, these seemingly small errors caused the cyclist wearing the prestigious maillot jaune to fall to the ground. Though both Fabian Cancellara and Tony Martin completed the stages, they would later abandon the race.

Daniele Colli Breaks Arm at Giro d'Italia

In addition to cars, curbs and other riders, professional cyclists must dodge spectators as well. During the final sprint of Stage 6, with riders hitting peak velocitygoing full gas, a man with a camera overstepped the barricaded boundary and caused Daniele Colli to strike the pavement with such force that his arm broke in two places. Colli has since filed an official complaint against the fan who caused the crash.

(Please be warned, this video contains graphic content)

The Worst Crash of 2015 at the Tour of Utah

Type "2015 bicycle crash" into a search engine, and you're likely to see this video near the top of your results. When Irish cyclist Matt Brammeier took the testy curve at Guardman's Pass too quickly, he violently collided with a team car, severely injuring the Irishman with broken ribs and a punctured lung. And as if this horrific crash wasn't enough, a motorcyclist who slowed down at the curve subsequently caused two more cyclists to end up on the pavement.

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