Dutchman Johnny Hoogerland had 33 stitches inserted to close deep gashes in his leg after he was hit by a car on the ninth stage of the Tour de France, his team said on Monday.

Spain’s Luis Leon Sanchez won the stage on Sunday, and Frenchman Thomas Voeckler took the yellow jersey from Thor Hushovd.

Hoogerland and Juan Antonio Flecha had been part of a five-man breakaway that was vying for victory in Sunday’s 208km stage from Issoire to Saint-Flour in the Massif Central.

However the pair were hit by an overtaking France TV car. Vacansoleil rider Hoogerland was sent somersaulting into a barbed wire fence while Team Sky’s Flecha hit the deck at full speed.

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