Cycling: Greg Henderson crashes out of Tour de France

New Zealand cyclist Greg Henderson has been forced out of the Tour de France after crashing on the fourth stage to Lille today. Photo / File.

New Zealand cyclist Greg Henderson has been forced out of the Tour de France after crashing on the fourth stage to Lille today.

The 37-year-old crashed with about 20kms to go in the race, landing heavily on his knee.

It left Henderson with a 12cm split on his knee which left his patella exposed.

Henderson is now heading back to the Team Lotto-Belisol base in Belgium to undergo surgery and he is in doubt for the Commonwealth Games later this month.

Thanks for the messages. Silly crash and I landed on my weak knee. It just exploded. Messy looking thing. Off to Surgery now. #keepuposted

Henderson is the leadout man for the Lotto-Belisol sprinter Andre Greipel, with the German saying it's now going to be difficult without the New Zealander.

Giant-Shimano rider Marcel Kittel won yet again on the Tour de France, grabbing his third stage of four in the sprint into Lille.

Tour de France in association with Skoda