Simon Yates has abandoned the Tour de France 2021.
The British climber had been hoping to target stage wins in the Pyrenees in the coming days, but he was caught up in a high-speed crash with around 60km left to race on stage 13.
Yates, winner of the 2018 Vuelta a España, was one of several riders who fell on a sweeping left-hand turn, as some fell into a steep ravine at the right-hand side of the road.
Team BikeExchange rider Yates was able to get back on the bike to try and rejoin the peloton, but was later forced to abandon the stage.
The incident happened as stage 13 from Nîmes to Carcassonne sparked into life with a flurry of attacks from the peloton.
But with the action came the chaos, as a group of riders fell on a narrow section of road.
Tim Declerq (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) and Søren Kragh Andersen (Team DSM) were amongst those who went down in the fall, as Andersen was seen clambering back up the steep grass verge to return to road level, his bike lifted above his head.
Yates remained on the floor for some minutes after his fall, but was able to re-mount to try and chase down the peloton.
But after pursuing the bunch, Yates was forced to leave the Tour de France.
>>> When and where Mark Cavendish can break Tour de France stage record in the coming week
The 28-year-old has already had his share of success this year, winning the Tour of the Alps before his main goal of the year, the Giro d'Italia, where he won a stage and finished third overall.
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Thibaut Pinot will tackle the Tour de France once more in 2022Frenchman aims for podium again eight years after he last achieved the feat, will be joined by David Gaudu and Michael Storer
-
Rohan Dennis says he moved to Jumbo-Visma because Ineos Grenadiers were copying 'a lot of stuff' from Dutch team
Australian time-trialist will be part of Jumbo-Visma's Tour de France squad
-
Egan Bernal would rather win Vuelta a España than another Tour de France - but will obey team orders
Giro d'Italia champion says Ineos Grenadiers want him to ride Tour
-
Eddy Merckx 'wouldn't have had a problem' with Cavendish beating his Tour de France stage victory record
The 'Manx Missile' equalled the great Belgian's record at the Grand Boucle as he won four stages
-
Tour de France 'Opi-Omi' spectator avoids jail sentence after causing stage one crash
The woman initially went into hiding, later admitting that she felt "ashamed"
-
'Opi-Omi' Tour de France spectator faces four-month suspended sentence
Her lawyer described her as 'terrified' by the media storm that followed the incident
-
Mark Cavendish unsure on Tour de France 2022 route: 'There aren’t as many chances for the fast men'
The joint-record Tour de France stage winner would grab his 35th with victory in 2022, surpassing Eddy Merckx
-
'Opi-Omi' Tour de France spectator who caused crash on opening stage to appear in court
The spectator will be facing charges of causing 'involuntary injuries' and 'endangering others'
