Nightmare for Astana at Tour de France - Mark Cavendish's domestique Michele Gazzoli the first rider to abandon race

Astana Qazaqstan Team are having a nightmare start to the Tour de France. Mark Cavendish is under serious difficulties right from the start of the race and is being supported by several teammates not to abandon the race. But one of them has, Michele Gazzoli has become the first rider to abandon this year's race.

It is unclear why this has happened but it is very possible that, like Cavendish, the Italian classics rider has bee struggling with the intense heat. Cavendish has lost a teammate to help him for the spring stages but perhaps most importantly, on today's stage which will still feature plenty climbing.