‘I had nothing’ – Romain Bardet at a loss to explain collapse on Stage 16 of the Tour de France

Romain Bardet said he felt “completely lost” during Stage 16 of the Tour de France as his GC ambitions imploded.

Bardet came in 3’36” down on the yellow jersey group – tumbling from fourth to ninth in the standings – at the end of the arduous 178.5km run from Carcassonne to Foix, which was completed once again in extreme heat.

“It was one of the worst days I’ve had in some time.

“It was a nightmare and hats off to my team-mates who were there at the beginning and at the end. Without them I don’t think I would’ve finished the stage.

“I don’t know if it’s because of the heat. I really didn’t feel well, I had chills, my temples were throbbing. It was a terrible day and I didn’t see it coming.

“I hope to bounce back, the desire will be there.

“It wasn’t even the legs. I was just completely lost. I had nothing.

“My head was pounding and I was really off the mark.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Bardet – or the rest of the peloton – on Wednesday with the second Pyrenean stage ahead, which involves three Cat. 1 climbs and a mountain-top finish at Peyragudes.

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