Thibaut Pinot was forced to abandon the Tour de France in tears in the penultimate mountain stage of the race, having been a serious threat to the yellow jersey.
The Frenchman had been one of the key animators of the race over the last three weeks, starting stage 19 just 1-50 off the race lead.
But Pinot was left in tears as he was dropped from the peloton after just 35km of racing on the road to Tignes, as a knee injury put an end to his dreams.
As the popular Groupama-FDJ rider stepped off the bike, there was a major outpouring of support.
Thibaut Pinot is one of the primary reasons why this Tour has been the best for 30 years or even more. He's had lots of setbacks and has always bounced back stronger. Let's hope he will again #TDF2019
— Peter Cossins (@petercossins) July 26, 2019
Pinot is believed to have suffered a muscle tear on stage 17 to Gap, after hitting his left thigh against a handlebar.
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#TDF2019 – Pinot's abandon has been the most hearthbreaking scene since Bambi's mother death.
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) July 26, 2019
The injury continued to cause problems for Pinot on the ascent of the Galibier on stage 18, as he dealt with a sharp pain and struggled to walk in the evening.
Every time Gaudu comes onto screen I find myself shouting:
‘Oh my Lord he’s back, Pinot is back! Allez Allez Allez!’
and then I remember and my heart breaks yet again 💔#TDF2019🇫🇷
— Will Newton (@InsidePeloton96) July 26, 2019
He started stage 19 but visited the medical car early on, getting his leg re-bandaged just above the knee before going back to the team car.
How terribly sad. Pinot out. And now there's the astonishing possibility that, after everything, there won't be a Frenchman on the podium in Paris. Over to you, Julian… #TDF2019
— Felix Lowe (@saddleblaze) July 26, 2019
Pinot then quickly slipped behind the peloton and was in tears as he was forced to step off the bike and get in the team car, with his team-mate Mathieu Ladagnous dropping back and offering a supportive shoulder.
Heartbreaking. 💔 Thibaut Pinot abandons the Tour de France in tears with just two days to go. I so hope that he will come back one day and win it. COURAGE @ThibautPinot ! #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/vKSIANGFPK
— Mihai Cazacu (@faustocoppi60) July 26, 2019
The stage to the summit of Tignes provided the penultimate mountain day in the 2019 Tour, with the final summit finish to Val Thorens on stage 20 the final chance to break Alaphilippe’s hold on the yellow jersey before the Champs-Élysées.
Heartbreak.
Cycling can be so beautiful, yet so so cruel at the same time.
Perhaps that’s what makes it the greatest sport on earth.
But this is how I’ll be remembering Pinot from this Tour, a true champ. #ChapeauPinot #AllezAla #TDF2019🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/CSa0fheCzX
— Will Newton (@InsidePeloton96) July 26, 2019
Pinot had been riding his best Tour de France in years, having announced himself as one of the strongest riders in the 2019 edition after winning stage 14 at the summit of the Tourmalet.
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Abandon Thibaut Pinot. It’s clear that it’s due to an injury before the start of the stage. None of his teammates were waiting for him, so they were aware of the situation before today’s stage. Too bad for the race, sad for him, but…
Ça aussi c’est Le Tour.— Johan Bruyneel (@JohanBruyneel) July 26, 2019
He followed up this victory with a second place on stage 15, finishing at the summit of Prat d’Albis, where he took further time back on his GC rivals.
