No legs for Mayo

Iban Mayo was one of the surprises in the first mountain stage of the Tour, finishing 153rd at 24'24 - a long way from his Dauphiné Libéré form that saw him in a stage in the Alps last month. The Basque, riding near home turf in the Pyrenees, didn't have an explanation. "I suffered a bit with a sore throat," he was quoted by Sportwereld as saying. "The fault of the aircon in the hotel. But that can't be called an excuse. In the beginning of the stage, I felt good, but when it went uphill I couldn't go. Why? No idea. The only thing left in this Tour is to hope for a recovery in the Alps. so that I can at least do something there."

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1