A few days after being told by BMC that his contract won't be renewed, Thor Hushovd faces new problems. Having been dropped as the first rider on the final climb in today's stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné, the Norwegian has realized that something is wrong and has decided to leave the race.

A bunch sprint concluded another hot day on the longest stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné Tuesday. With the the tarmac melting in places, the peloton allowed a breakaway of three riders more than five minutes' lead before reeling them in less than 30 kilometers from the end of the 194-km race.

Nikias Arndt (Team Giant-Shimano) took the win ahead of Kris Boeckmans (Lotto-Belisol) while Greg Van Avermaet, in 15th, was best for the BMC Racing Team.

"With one kilometer to go, I did not realize it was so tricky," Van Avermaet said. "So it was not possible for me to move up. The last kilometer I was just following wheels."

Chris Froome (Team Sky) kept the overall lead as there were no significant changes in the top of the general classification.

After the stage, Thor Hushovd announced he would not start Wednesday's stage.

"There is obviously something wrong with me," the Norwegian national road champion said after finishing 16:48 behind the stage winner. "I am not feeling good and I'm suffering on the bike. I have to realize this is not normal. So instead of pushing through more, I decided together with the team that I will withdraw from the Dauphiné and not start Stage 4.

"First, it is mentally hard for me to be like this, and second, I am not providing support to the team when I am in this condition."