Cycling: Martin given all-clear to start second stage

Two-time world time-trial champion Tony Martin has been given the all-clear to start Sunday’s second stage of the Tour de France despite suffering a nasty fall in Saturday’s opener, his team said.

The Omega Pharma-QuickStep team confirmed via Twitter that Martin, 28, would ride the 156 kilometres across Corsica from Bastia to Ajaccio after hospital examinations on Saturday night revealed that he did not suffer any fractures when sent to the ground in a mass crash near the end of Saturday’s stage.

There were reports that Martin fainted twice before being put on a stretcher and taken to hospital amid fears that he had broken his collarbone or shoulder.

Omega Pharma-QuickStep confirmed on Saturday that he was suffering from concussion, a contusion on his left lung, widespread bruising, and a deep cut on his left elbow, but that has not stopped the German from carrying on in what is the 100th edition of the sport’s greatest race.