SAINT-GERVAIS-LES-BAINS, France — Dutch rider Tom Dumoulin, a favorite for gold in the Olympic time trial, abandoned the Tour de France in tears Friday after damaging his left wrist in a fall, two stages from the end of the race.
At the beginning of the biggest climb in Stage 19, Dumoulin appeared to make contact with other riders and hit the pavement hard as his right foot remained stuck in his pedal.
The Tour’s medical team said Dumoulin had severe pain in his wrist and he was taken for X-rays. The scans revealed a suspected fracture in his left radius, Dumoulin’s Team Giant-Alpecin said.
Dumoulin won two stages in this Tour, taking the ninth leg with a solo breakaway through a hailstorm on a mountain-top finish in Andorra, and then dominating the race’s longest time trial in Stage 13.
He also finished second to overall leader Chris Froome in Thursday’s mountain time trial.
Dumoulin was in 44th position overall, more than 90 minutes behind Froome.
The 54.5-kilometer (34-mile) men’s time trial at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics is scheduled for Aug. 10.
Dumoulin and Froome are considered the leading favorites for the gold medal.
