With one stage win, Giant-Shimano have had an excellent Criterium du Dauphiné but yesterday their fortunes changed. Both Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg and Thierry Hupond were forced to abandon in the queen stage.

Team Giant-Shimano have come away from the penultimate stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné with little to show for heir efforts after a hard day in the mountains on the queen stage of the race. Unfortunately Thierry Hupond and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg pulled out of the stage as well leaving the team’s spirits dampened.

Hupond and Thomas Damuseau were involved in a crash after 20km and from here Hupond was in too much pain to follow on the hills. He eventually succumbed to the effects of his crash and pulled out of the race during the stage. Damuseau was able to carry on but it ended his chances of wanting to make the day’s breakaway.

Van Rensburg didn’t hit the ground on today’s stage but he was feeling the after effects of his crashes earlier in the week and couldn’t follow on the climbs and he also eventually pulled out of the race to concentrate on recovery rather than pushing himself through two more mountain stages.

Apart from Hupond and Van Rensburg, the rest of the Team Giant-Shimano riders finished safely within the time limit to battle on tomorrow.

“It was a bit of an eventful day but for the wrong reasons today for the guys,” said Team Giant-Shimano coach Lionel Marie. “It was a shame to lose Thierry and Reinardt but it was a really tough stage and when you’re struggling from a crash on a day like today it is very difficult.

“Our only chances on a day like to day are to be opportunists but when the break went we just concentrated on getting through the day and going through the motions ahead of tomorrow’s final test. I am impressed by how the guys have raced this week together and with a win already the pressure is off ahead of tomorrow’s final stage where another mountain finish awaits.”