Mark Cavendish has been forced to pull out of this year's Tour de France after a crash at the climax of the first stage of the race in Harrogate.
The 25-time Tour de France stage winner was just 300 metres from the finish line when he tumbled to the floor yesterday (June 5), sustaining a dislocated collar bone.
Cavendish lost control of his front wheel as he tried to break free from the pack in the last 400 metres.
He had made the bid for victory by using his head and shoulders to try and push Australia's Simon Gerrans to the left so he could have a clear run to the line, but lost his balance and fell heavily on his right shoulder.
He was taken to hospital for an MRI scan and had been due to make his decision on whether he would be able to resume in time for the second stage this morning (July 7).
It means the Ongar resident, who admitted fault for the crash, will not be able to ride through his home county.
