Remco Evenepoel was forced to abandon this year’s Tour de France as Thymen Arensman claimed his maiden stage win.
Tadej Pogacar marginally extended his commanding overall lead over Jonas Vingegaard as he finished second on a gruelling mountain stage, with Vingegaard third.
But Evenepoel, who was third in the general classification coming into a third punishing day in the Pyrenees, is now out of the race.
The double Olympic champion faltered on the first of four climbs on the 182.6km stage and had to withdraw, midway through the ascent of the mighty Col du Tourmalet.
German debutant Florian Lipowitz, 24, finished fifth on the day and climbed into the final GC podium place, and although British rider Oscar Onley lost time to Lipowitz the 22-year-old Scot still moved up one place to fourth overall.
It was a first stage win for Dutch debutant Arensman, 25, and a first on this year’s Tour for British team Ineos Grenadiers.
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