Dan Martin (Israel Startup Nation) was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the sacrum and abandoned the Criterium du Dauphiné.

The Irishman crashed hard on the fast run-in to the Col de la Porte, the final climb of Thursday's second stage.

Martin landed hard on his hip, but got up and finished the stage. However, he was later diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the sacrum, and Israel Startup Nation team doctor Ortwin Schaefer advised him to return home in time for the Tour de France, which starts Saturday, August 29, in Nice.

"I really hope I can make it to the Tour de France," Martin said.

"It's a shame because I feel like I'm in great shape, but I'm recovering fast and have reason to be optimistic.

Martin explained how the crash happened.

"I was feeling the best I've felt in a race since Lockdown, but bad things happen when you relax. There was nothing I could do. I was ready for the last climb, the last effort, but the riders crashed right in front of me. One of them hit a sign on the road and I immediately knew he was hurt."

"It was one of those very strange feelings, not a single scratch, but I landed hard on my lower back. Unfortunately, I have a small fracture in my sacrum."

"I ran to the finish and pedaling was fine, but it hurt and I felt something was wrong, so I got checked out."

Martín was diagnosed before dinner on Thursday, and he did not have to endure the pain at the Criterium du Dauphiné before heading back to Andorra.

"I better go home and recover. There is no reason not to stay here and be 100% healthy.

"I want to go home and recover, hopefully by the Tour. I'm going to do everything I can to rest and be as ready as possible for the start of the Tour."