Illness forces Philippe Gilbert out of Tour de France

Belgian rider abandons ahead of stage 15

Philippe Gilbert ahead of stage 14 of the Tour de France

(Image credit: Yuzuru Sunada)

Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) has been forced to abandon the Tour de France ahead of stage 15 after suffering with viral gastroenteritis.

Gilbert had been active towards the tail end of the second week, finishing fourth on stage 13 to Rodez, but has since fallen ill and will not start on Tuesday.

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The Belgian rider has enjoyed a busy but successful 2017 season so far, heading to the Tour de France on the back of victories in the Tour of Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race, before warming up for the Tour with a stage win at the Tour de Suisse.

>>> Who's out of the Tour de France after stage 15?

Quick-Step are yet to announce Gilbert's race programme for the rest of the season, particularly whether he will race the Vuelta a España ahead of the World Championships in Bergen, Norway in September.

The Tour de France continues on Tuesday with a 165km stage to Romans-sur-Isère where the Belgian team will be hoping to guide Marcel Kittel to his sixth stage win of the race.

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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.