Mur-de-Bretagne (France), Jul 11 (AP) Mattia Cattaneo, a key teammate of Tour de France contender Remco Evenepoel, has withdrawn from the race.

The versatile Cattaneo, who rides for Evenepoel's Soudal Quick-Step, was seen struggling at the back of the peloton during Friday's Stage 7 of the three-week race between Saint-Malo and Mûr-de-Bretagne. The Italian rider retired after about 70 kilometers (43 miles), race organizers said.

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Evenepoel, who finished third in last year's Tour, was third overall before Friday's 197-kilometer (122-mile) stage, lagging 43 seconds behind race leader Mathieu van der Poel. Three-time Tour champion Tadej Pogacar was in second place, one second behind van der Poel.

A five-man break including former Tour champion Geraint Thomas formed soon after the start, gaining an early lead of 1 minute and 40 seconds after 86 kilometers covered. (AP) AM

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(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)