A downcast Dave Brailsford said Team Sky have been hit hard by the withdrawal of injured Bradley Wiggins, and would be shifting their tactics accordingly from concentrating on the yellow jersey to competing for stage wins.
"It's devastating for Bradley more than anything, but devastating for the team," Brailsford told Matt Rendell.
And Brailsford said the loss of their lead rider would force a change in Team Sky's tactics for the rest of the Tour.
"We'll change our focus away from the GC and go for stage victories now, and see what we can get out of the rest of the race," Brailsford confirmed.
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