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Cycling: Tour de France: Andrew Talansky 'heartbroken' at withdrawal

By Allsports.com.gh
Cycling Cycling: Tour de France: Andrew Talansky 'heartbroken' at withdrawal
JUL 17, 2014 LISTEN

The Garmin-Sharp rider finished well off the pace in Wednesday's 187.5-kilometre stage from Besancon to Oyonnax having had to battle through the final 80km on his own after blowing a tyre.

While his team-mates were instructed to go ahead without him, Talansky managed to finish inside the cut-off by just over five minutes.

Having endured a number of crashes early in the Tour while also suffering an upper respiratory infection and acute sacroiliitis, Talansky was forced to call time on his Tour.

"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," he said in a statement.

"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. I wanted the team to keep up the fight for the stage, and in turn for them, I wanted to fight to the finish.

"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. I'll go home now and rest and recover but I will be watching from there and cheering for my team every day."

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