Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas said that the loss of team-mate Bradley Wiggins to a broken collarbone represents a devastating blow.
"It was gutting for the team," the Welshman told Matt Rendell. "He was behind me and we just heard it."
"Loads of groups came past and we were like, 'where's Brad, where's Brad' and they finally came on the radio and said that he'd broken his collarbone and he was out," he added.
Despite his disappointment Thomas called on his Sky team-mates to put the loss of Wiggins behind them and concentrate on success for the rest of the Tour.
"It's really disappointing but we'll have to put it behind us and move on," he said. "There's still two weeks to go, we'll just take it and attack every day now."
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