A further 12 cyclists have quit the race with injuries, including last year's runner-up Rigoberto Uran (sprained back and knee) and race favourite Richie Porte (broken collar bone). In one of the worst crashes veteran Spanish rider Luis Leon Sanchez broke an elbow and four ribs.
Two more riders pulled the pin after being so debilitated by gastric illness they could no longer maintain the pace to keep with the fast-moving peloton, including New Zealander Patrick Bevin.
Many of those who broke bones in high-speed falls continued on to finish the stage they were on because, you know, maybe they hadn't actually broken anything and the pain they were experiencing would go away in time and they could go on to finish the Tour. Riders such as Vincenzo Nibali, who suffered broken vertebrae; Tony Martin, who fractured his spine; Tiesj Benoot, who dislocated his shoulder; Serge Pauwels, who broke his elbow ; Damian Howson, who broke his hand; Alexis Vuilermoz, who broke his shoulder blade; and Jens Keukeleire, who fractured his calf bone.
This brings to mind a popular meme juxtaposing the image of a footballer writhing in agony against the image of a cyclist riding in a ripped and bloodied outfit, with the contrasting titles: "pretends he is injured", "pretends he is OK".
Of the 176 starters in this year's Tour, 16 have suffered broken bones and countless more are continuing with cuts, grazes and contusions that have affected their physical conditioning to perform at the highest level.
Possibly the bravest is Craddock, who was so determined to finish his first Tour de France, something he had worked all his life towards.
Craddock has been spotted on each of the long stages yo-yoing off the back of the peloton, bravely staying in contact while he tries to manage his position on the bike so as not to steepen the pain of his broken shoulder blade.
To help spur himself on, he set up a Go Fund Me page on which he is donating $US100 for each stage he's finished towards rebuilding a concrete velodrome in Houston.
Craddock explained that he'd come into the race highly motivated. "Unfortunately, this all went pear shaped when I crashed during the first stage fracturing my scapula and having a cut above my eye that needed stitches, he wrote on his Go Fund Me page.
"I fought on for the next 50 miles to finish the stage before an X-Ray revealed my injuries. Not being one to give in, I told myself that I wouldn't stop the race unless it was absolutely necessary. As extra motivation I have decided to give $100 to the Greater Houston Cycling Foundation for each stage that I finish. I have truly been blown away by how many people have offered to donate as well. It has been overwhelming and extremely motivating to continue this race."
As of Friday, more than $US138,000 has been raised through other people around the world pitching in.
