Greig Leach

Tejay van Garderen (BMC) had been looking forward to the four days in the Alps. He is a rider who's climbing abilities suit the Alpine terrain and one who goes better and better as the Tour progresses. Whoever today, it Alpine mountains were not his friends. With the group containing the Maillot Jaune got back to racing with the attacks from Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo), van Garderen was dropped yet again, unable to hold the wheels of even the Groupetto. As the American felt his Tour slip away, his team director stopped the team car and came to talk with his team leader. Amongst tears, hugs and great frustration, Tejay van Garderen not only abandon his hopes of winning the 102nd Tour de France, he climbed into the team car abandoning the Tour all together.