Tyler Farrar, who suffered a broken left wrist and sprained left elbow after a crash on stage 2, was forced to abandon the race on stage 12.
“I am devastated to leave the Tour and my teammates,” said Farrar. “You never want to leave any race but especially the Tour. It’s the event we work for all year.”
“I’ve been suffering since my crash on Stage 2 and today, the pain was just too much. I couldn’t push through. I wanted to get to Paris more than anything. Instead, I’ll be watching my teammates from home. That’s not where I want to be.”
“But I know they’ll continue to make us proud, and I’ll be cheering louder than anyone. I want to thank them again now for everything they’ve done for me.”
“Sprints are easier for Tyler to get through because the adrenaline in that situation helps mask the pain,” said Director Sportif Matt White.
“Today was the hardest day of the race yet and the kind of climbing and descending these guys did is incredibly painful for an injury like Tyler’s. Having to break on the descents is probably the most painful thing to do with a broken wrist.”
“We’re obviously sad to see him go but at the end of the day, his health comes first. Tyler won’t be able to heal until he goes home and rests and that’s what he’ll do from here.”
“To make it all the way to Stage 12 with the injuries he’s had is something special. We’re proud of him for his effort and everything he has accomplished here.”
“We’ve had four guys with broken bones at this Tour,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO and Director Sportif.
“With Tyler’s departure from the race, we now have three at home. Sure, we’ve had bad luck, but look at what these guys have gone through to get this far into the race. Even with a broken wrist and sprained elbow, Tyler has run second and third in sprints. He rode stage three –- kilometer after kilometer of cobbles –- almost entirely with one hand!”
“He has persevered to get to this stage of the race. That shows his own strength and the strength of this team.”
“Ryder Hesjedal has been having the ride of his life here, with another incredible day today. We may not have luck on our side at the moment, but we have a team of great, tough riders who will continue to be competitive here.”
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