By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Slovenian rider Primoz Roglic announced he has pulled out of the Tour de France before the start of Sunday’s 15th stage to recover from injuries.
Roglic, 32, crashed hard when a hay bale was apparently moved into the road by a race motorbike. He dislocated his shoulder, put it back in himself and then chased for 30km but lost two minutes to his overall rivals.
“I’m proud of my contribution to the current standings and I trust that the team will realise our yellow and green ambitions. Thanks to everybody for your great support,” Roglič said in a brief message.
Roglic, has been suffering from shoulder and lower back problems which the defending three-time Vuelta a Espana champion picked up during the first week of the race around France.
It is the second consecutive year that Roglič has failed to finish the Tour de France. Last year he crashed early in the race and eventually abandoned in Tignes after stage 8.
Roglič recovered to win the time trial at the Tokyo Olympics and a third consecutive Vuelta a España. He is expected to again lead Jumbo-Visma in the final Grand Tour of the season.