After his disappointing performance in the time trial, Richie Porte (Sky) is now considering to leave the race that was his big season goal.

“I’ll have a talk with the team physio, Dave and Tim, but in some ways it might make sense and get out of here and look forward to the Tour,” he told Cycling Weekly.

“It’s massively disappointing, but after yesterday, I was gutted. I was on the massage table, things just sinking in, I don’t think I did anything wrong, I’ve just been unlucky.

“In theory [I’d go for stage wins if I continued], but the way my knee and hip felt today, I’m just not sure. I think I may be making up numbers to be honest."

Porte was only 55th in the time trial and is now 17th overall.