Tejay Van Garderen pulled out of the Tour de France during Wednesday's 161km 17th stage from Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup after suffering from headaches.

The 26-year-old American had been sitting third in the overall standings at 3min 32sec back from race leader Chris Froome.

But only 60km into the first Alpine stage of the race, Van Garderen started to struggle and lost touch with the peloton.

The BMC team leader, second to Froome in last month's Criterium du Dauphine, dropped two minutes behind but his teammates helped him back up to the peloton.

But a burst of speed from Alberto Contador, who was fifth overall, saw Van Garderen drop again and, with 70km still to ride, he climbed off his bike.

It means Spaniard Alejandro Valverde moves up into a podium position behind second-placed Nairo Quintana with Contador just 19 seconds behind.
Source: AFP