Movistar's Alex Dowsett has abandoned the Tour de France on stage 12, bringing to an end his torrid debut in the race.
The British time trial champion struggled through much of the first week after a crash on stage four, which required six stitches to his elbow, before losing more time in the mountain stages after the rest day.
Dowsett finished in a group 21 minutes behind winner Chris Froome on the first mountain on stage 10, and then only just finished inside the time cut on stage 11 over the Tourmalet - coming in on his own 33 minutes behind the winner.
On stage 12 the Essex rider called it a day alongside fellow struggler Zak Dempster after being dropped from the peloton on the first climb of the day.
Dowsett admitted before the Tour that he wouldn't be much use to Nairo Quintana in the mountains, but his stage-four crash and resulting suffering left him unable to provide much help on the flat either.
Watch highlights from stage 11 of the Tour de France
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Doing more cycling in the 'sweetspot' training zone could revolutionise your fitness - here's why
The ‘comfortably hard’ zone just below FTP promises sweet rewards for your aerobic fitness, but how much and how often is best for you? Pro coach Brendan Housler explains
-
Are you getting the most out of Strava? Five tools to enhance your Stava experience
Whether it’s deeper analysis, stitching together activities or showcasing your ride, there’s a lot more you can do with Strava integrations
-
'Winning has become harder in women’s cycling,' says Annemiek van Vleuten
Dutch rider pleased to have the confidence to attack twice to take Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes victory
-
Annemiek Van Vleuten back to form taking a battling solo win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège
The Movistar rider took a tenacious win with repeated attacks, finally going clear on the final classified climb riding solo for 10km
-
Alejandro Valverde: Second place at Flèche Wallonne 'is worth as much as a victory'
Spaniard finishes on podium for eight time in final time up Mur de Huy
-
Breakaway caught agonisingly close to the line as Emma Norsgaard wins a tense Le Samyn des Dames
A two woman breakaway was caught with only 150m to go as the Danish rider takes a fourth season win for Movistar in southern Belgium
-
Van Vleuten continues stellar 2022 with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad victory
Vollering outwitted into second place as her compatriot takes a second win in the Classics season opener
-
Gabriel Cullaigh signs for Saint Piran: 'Hopefully the results will come and I will jump back up to the WorldTour'
The Briton hopes to follow in the same footsteps as his peer James Shaw in bouncing back
-
'I had thoughts of just packing it all in': Gabriel Cullaigh's lonely experience and rejection with Movistar
The Yorkshireman explains why he was unable to deliver on the promise he showed at U23 level
-
American Matteo Jorgenson is on a path of discovery to find out what bike rider he really is: 'my place in cycling is changing a bit'
One half of Idaho's WorldTour duo talks off-season adventures and future endeavours
