Cadel Evans has given up on winning back-to-back Tour de France titles after falling over eight minutes behind leader Bradley Wiggins.
The reigning champion struggled with a stomach problem on Stage 16 from Pau to Bagneres-de-Luchon and could not keep up with the yellow jersey group as they set out to chase down a breakaway group.
"I had a few stomach issues just before the race...when it's an hour or two hours before the race there is not a lot you can do," Evans said after Wednesday's stage.
"I didn't think it would affect me in the race but obviously that's not my normal level and it's pretty much Tour de France over for me."
Having realised Evans was not up to it on Wednesday BMC team management sent Tejay Van Garderen after Wiggins' group.
The 23-year-old American, who is the leader of the young rider classification, believed Wednesday's temperatures of more than 30 degrees in the Pyrenees may have affected Evans.
"A couple of times we tried giving him gels and some food and he was saying something like his stomach wasn't really handling it that well," Van Garderen said.
"Maybe the heat was getting to him. "He looked fine up until the [Col d'Aspin] and then at the Aspin he started getting dropped."
Van Garderen stayed with Wiggins for much of Stage 16 and has moved above Evans on the overall classification standings.That means Evans will be expected to help Van Garderen retain his white jersey for the remainder of the Tour.
The Australian conceded that at eight minutes and six seconds behind Wiggins he was too far back to do damage to the yellow jersey wearer but too close for Sky to allow him into a breakaway for a stage win.
"I don't know [if] I am far enough back yet still to be allowed the freedom to go away in a breakaway," Evans said.
"You have to be optimistic but also you have to be realistic and obviously this year things haven't been coming together.
"The year is not over but certainly the retirement present I wanted to give George Hincapie this year ... the hope and wish for that is."
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