The 25-year-old Belgian rider, who was third overall, struggled early on as the peloton faced another day of suffering during Stage 14 from Pau to Luchon-Superbagnères.

Remco Evenepoel, who finished third in last year's Tour and was third at the start of the day, has had to withdraw from this year's race. So too has Mattias Skjelmose after hitting that traffic island earlier on. Remco Evenepoel is now talking to the Soudal Quick-Step team car and hands his bidon to a jubilant young fan.