Tour de France contender Primoz Roglic has pulled out of this year’s race after suffering injuries in a late crash on stage 12.
The 34-year-old Slovenian was one of the pre-race favourites but he ended Thursday’s 204km stage from Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot with a bloodied right shoulder following the incident 10 kilometres from the finish.
As a result of the crash, Roglic dropped from fourth to sixth in the general classification after he lost two minutes 27 seconds on the leaders.
In a statement, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe said Roglic would now be focusing on “upcoming goals”.
The team added: “Primoz Roglic underwent careful examination by our medical team after yesterdays stage and again this morning. The decision has been taken that he will not start [Friday].
“We wish you a speedy recovery Primoz.”
Friday’s stage 13 is a 165.3km route from Agen to Pau.