German climber drops out after first mountain as Argos-Shimano woes continue
Argos-Shimano’s Thomas Fröhlinger became the latest casualty of the Tour de France, as the race entered its second week, as he was unable to start the eighth stage between Belfort and Porrentruy, Switzerland. The German climber is the 18th rider to climb off his bike in this year’s race, having sustained a broken little finger in one of the massive crashes that struck stage six.
The 27-year-old – riding his debut Tour – struggled to the finish of yesterday’s stage to la Planche des Belles Filles, but the pain is too great for him to continue.
“This is a painful decision,” said the German.
Fröhlinger’s abandon takes Argos-Shimano’s numbers down to seven, following the loss of sprinter Marcel Kittel, who was forced out of the fifth stage, between Rouen and Saint-Quentin, with stomach problems. The Dutch Professional Continental team is riding only its second Tour – having been invited as Skil-Shimano back in 2009 – and the majority of its line up are debutants in the race.
Having taken the sprinting World by storm in his first pro-season last year, and continued that success this year with victories that included the Scheldeprijs, 23-year-old Kittel’s loss was felt heavily by the team. His place has been taken up front by his lead out man Tom Veelers, who took third place on stage four to Rouen.
If anything, Fröhlinger’s loss will be felt more keenly, as he was to perform a vital task in the mountains for the Dutch team.