Cadel Evans has conceded his Tour de France title defence is over after his hopes were scorched in the Pyrenees heat.
Evans twice lost touch with race leader Brad Wiggins during a brutal stage 16 and the second time he was unable to fight back.
The Australian finished the stage 11 minutes and 56 seconds behind French winner Thomas Voeckler.
More importantly, he lost 4:47 to Wiggins.
Before the stage, Evans was fourth overall at 3:19 and he has now dropped to seventh at 8:06.
Third-placed Italian Vincenzo Nibali is at 2:23 and even if Evans has a great time trial on the Tour's second-last day, he would appear to have little chance of making the podium in Paris.
"I had a few stomach issues before the race and when you have it two hours before the race there's not a lot you can do,'' Evans said.
"I didn't think it would affect me in the race - obviously that's not my normal level.
"Pretty much the Tour de France is over for me.''
As he crossed the finish line in Bagneres-de-Luchon, Evans reached over to his faithful lieutenant, American George Hincapie, who will retire at the end of the season.
The temperature reached the 30s during the stage, which featured four climbs - two of them so tough they are rated "HC'', or above category.
Evans first lost touch with Wiggins on the category-one Col d'Aspin with 41km left.
He managed to rejoin the yellow jersey group, but then cracked again with 19km to go on the Col de Peyresourde, the last climb of the day.
While Thursday's last day in the Pyrenees might give Evans a chance to go for a stage win, he doubts Wiggins and his formidable Sky team will let him go in a break.
"I'm not far enough back still to be allowed freedom to go in a breakaway,'' he said.
"You have to be optimistic, but also you have to be realistic.
"Obviously this year things haven't been coming together, the year's not over.
"But certainly the retirement present I wanted to give to George Hincapie this year, the hope and wish for that is over.''
- AAP
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