Having suffered from illness, Arthur Vichot was forced to withdraw from the Tour de France after getting dropped early in today's stage in the Alps. The former French champion is hugely disappointed and now sets his sights on the World Championships.

The 2014 season started well for Arthur Vichot who won a stage and finished third overall in Paris-Nice. Since then nothing has gone according to plan for the former French champion who missed the Ardennes classics due to knee pain.

On the day when his close friedn Thibaut Pinot rode great in the Alps, Vichot was forced to abandon the Tour de France.

"Personally, I do not have many good memories from this Tour," he said. "Thibaut performs well and I am very disappointed not to be there for him and participate in the race. There is no place for the weak in the Tour de France and I am a weakling. I only have 50% of my lung capacity. I am finding it hard to breathe.

"I'm going to recharge my batteries and will go home. I want to take a break and then get back in the saddle soon. I am disgusted to think I had to give up but we must move forward. The World Championships is a big goal for me. At the moment I am not good at but I will do everything to find my best form."