CORK, Ireland -- Chris Boardman, who wore the leader's yellow jersey for the first two days, crashed yesterday and fractured his left wrist, knocking him out of the Tour de France.

About 90 minutes away from the finish of the 127-mile second stage, Boardman's front wheel clipped the rear wheel of teammate Frederic Moncassin's bike. Boardman's helmet hit a stone fence, cutting his forehead.

Tour doctor David Curtis said Boardman, the gold medalist in the 1992 Olympics in pursuit, had a fractured left wrist, as well as cuts and bruises to his face. His arm was put in a cast and he was to spend the night in the hospital.

Jan Svorada won the stage, which was the Tour's final day in Ireland. Erik Zabel finished 17th and took over the yellow jersey. Zabel is seven seconds ahead of Tom Steels. American Bobby Julich is sixth, nine seconds back.

The riders flew to France last night, to resume the race today -- Bastille Day -- in the host country. The 106-mile stage goes from Roscoff to Lorient in the northwestern Brittany region. (Results, 5D)

Pub Date: 7/14/98