Tour de France 2018: Photos reveal Philippe Gilbert's horrific injuries and astonishing bravery

Updated 25/07/2018 at 10:23 GMT

Philippe Gilbert was lucky to be alive after his terrifying crash on Stage 16 of the Tour de France when he flew over a wall at speed. Now photos have revealed just how nasty his injuries were.

Belgium's Philippe Gilbert, injured after a serious fall, steps on the podium to receive a prize for being the stage's most aggressive rider, following the 16th stage of the 105th edition of the Tour de France

Image credit: Getty Images

Warning: Some may find the photos below distressing...

The Belgian could not stop as he lost control of his bike and was thrown head first from his bike over a low wall and was incredibly fortunate to have a sympathetic fall as he suffered just a fractured left kneecap.

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Remarkably, he bravely re-mounted his bike and continued the race to complete the dramatic stage. He had been 57.2 kilometres from the finish and in the lead of the 218km-long stage at the time of the crash.

Gilbert cycles away after terrifying crash over wall

The Belgian rider revealed the extent of his broken kneecap the following morning.

Gilbert was rightly recognised for his courage and bravery with an award for the 'most combative rider of the stage' on the podium.

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Image credit: Getty Images

It was around the 36-year-old's podium appearance that photos showed the extent of the injuries he suffered.

Image credit: Getty Images

The injured leg of Belgium's Philippe Gilbert is pictured on the podium after the 16th stage of the 105th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, between Carcassonne and Bagneres-de-Luchon, southwestern France

Image credit: Getty Images

Image credit: Getty Images

The injured elbow of Belgium's Philippe Gilbert is pictured on the podium after the 16th stage of the 105th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, between Carcassonne and Bagneres-de-Luchon

Image credit: Getty Images

Quick-Step later announced that after further tests at a hospital in Toulouse, the fracture was discovered, meaning he had to withdraw from the race.

"I want to say that I’m happy to be here after that tough moment," Gilbert reflected.

"This isn’t how I wanted to finish my Tour and leaving it like this really hurts.

"I crashed and it was all my fault. I simply took the wrong line.

"I fell onto rocks and, when I landed, I thought I’d been broken apart. I’ve had a lucky escape."

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