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 four main 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 yesterday’s 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.
Roglic was also involved in a late crash on the final descent on stage 11 on Wednesday when his rear wheel slid out through a tight left-hand corner.
While he has won the Vuelta a Espana three times and celebrated becoming Giro d’Italia champion last year, Roglic has experienced mixed emotions at the Tour de France.
He finished fourth in 2018 and second to compatriot Tadej Pogacar two years later, but he withdrew from the 2021 and 2022 editions through injury after crashing out of both Tours.