The Australian cyclist Richie Porte will take over as Team Sky leader in the Tour de France after defending champion Chris Froome crashed out.
Froome entered the rain-soaked fifth stage from Ypres to Arenberg Porte de Hinaut wearing a splint on his wrist after a fall the previous day.
The British cyclist got back on his bike after toppling 40 minutes into the race, but got into the team's car after a second fall an hour later.
He confirmed his withdrawal on Twitter, saying: "Devastated to have to withdraw from this years TDF. Injured wrist and tough conditions made controlling my bike near to impossible."
"Thanks to the team & support staff for trying to get me through today, wishing richie-porte & TeamSky the best for the rest of Tour!" he added in a second Tweet.
Riding to minimise losses, Porte finished 20th, two minutes 11 seconds behind stage winner Lars Boom, lifting himself to an eighth overall ranking, a minute 54 behind race leader Vincenzo Nibali.
