Bennati sustains hip injury in Tour pile-up

GHENT, Belgium (Reuters) - Italian Daniele Bennati was taken to hospital to have his hip checked following a crash in the Tour de France on Monday.

The Lampre sprinter was among around 170 riders affected by a massive pile-up two kilometers from the finish line of the second stage in Ghent.

"He is to have a scan on his hip this evening," the Tour's medical staff said in a statement.

Overall leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland also crashed and sustained a minor injury to his left hand.

"At first I really felt pain but it's now much better," said Cancellara. "We will treat it. Now I'm okay."

Cancellara, who got back on his bike and crossed the line, retains the leader's yellow jersey because the crash occurred less than three kilometers from the finish.