France's top hope Pinot cracks in first Tour Pyrenean stage

(Photo: The Associated Press)LAC DE PAYOLLE, France (AP) — Dribbling in pain on the punishing climb of the Col d'Aspin, Thibaut Pinot saw his hopes of winning the Tour de France disappear.

While his rivals in the fight for the yellow jersey came out unscathed from the first big ascent of this year's race on Friday, France's top hope crossed the finish line more than seven minutes after stage winner Steve Cummings, losing nearly three minutes to the group that included defending champion Chris Froome.

The sight of Pinot struggling during the 12-kilometer ascent of the legendary Pyrenean path, spit and sweat flowing down his face, was a shock.

Pinot, a third-place finisher at the Tour two years…