LE LIORAN, France (AP) — Vincenzo Nibali's struggles in the first hard climb of the Tour de France have settled the leadership debate within the Astana team.
The 2014 Tour champion was dropped by the top Tour contenders in the punishing category-2 ascent of the Pas de Peyrol in Wednesday's first mountain stage, crossing the finish line at Le Lioran ski resort eight minutes and 38 seconds behind his younger Astana teammate Fabio Aru.
After winning the Giro earlier this season, the Sicilian rider made the pledge that he would ride the Tour in support of Aru to focus instead on the Olympic Games' road race next month.