Andrew Talanksy pulls out of Tour de France

Garmin's team leader is the latest GC rider to quit the Tour after crashing twice in two days earlier in the race.

Andrew Talansky on stage eleven of the 2014 Tour de France

(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Garmin's Andrew Talanksy will not start Thursday's stage 12 to St Étienne having taken the decision overnight to pull out of the Tour de France.

The American was suffering badly on yesterday's stage, from the injuries he sustained when he crashed twice in two days, coming in 32 minutes down on winner Tony Gallopin, just five minutes inside the time cut.

In a statement released by Garmin-Sharp this morning Talansky said: "I'm absolutely heartbroken to leave the Tour de France. I built my season around the Tour, and the team has supported me every step of the way. I had hoped the rest day would allow some time to recover from my crashes."

"I was hopeful that I could get through yesterday and I tried to be there for the team, the way they have been there for me this whole time. But it proved to be too much. It's been hard for me personally with the crashes but I'm really proud of how we rode together here. These guys are so strong and there is so much more they can do over the rest of the Tour."

Talansky had been sitting pretty all the way to Nancy last Friday, only losing two minutes to Vincenzo Nibali over the cobbles of stage five. But in the final metres of stage seven he made a serious error. Finding himself in the mix for the sprint he tried to get out of the way. He looked back over his right shoulder as he moved to his left. At the exact same time, Simon Gerrans (who was coming past Talansky on his left) was following the sprint and moving to his right. Talansky and Gerrans collided while Talansky was looking back - he had no chance of staying upright.

Andrew Talansky crashes on stage seven of the 2014 Tour de France

Andrew Talansky crashes on stage seven of the 2014 Tour de France
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

The following day Talansky crashed again, on a wet, technical descent on the stage to Mulhouse. He was soon on his bike and finished with the rest of the favourites, but the damage was seemingly done.

"Andrew is suffering the cumulative effects of multiple crashes during the first part of the Tour, in addition to battling an upper respiratory infection. The impact on his hip from the crash on Stage seven has led to acute sacroiliitis, from which the pain has made it increasingly difficult for him to pedal." Kevin Sprouse, Garmin's Team Physician said in a statement.

On Monday's stage to Planche des Belles Filles Talansky's GC challenge was over, as he trailed in ten minutes behind Nibali. Yesterday he suffered further still, riding much of the stage on his own in a battle agains the time cut.

Talansky, who won the Criterium du Dauphine in June, is the third GC rider to pull out of the Tour through injuries after Chris Froome on stage five and Alberto Contador on stage ten.

Thank you for reading 20 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

Simon Richardson
Magazine editor

Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.