Carcassonne (France) July 25 (IANS) Belgian cyclist Philippe Gilbert was on Wednesday forced to pull out from the 2018 Tour de France after he sustained a kneecap injury during the race s 16th stage.
The Quick Step rider crashed into a stone wall on Tuesday on the 218 kilometre-long stage from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon.
"I have a fracture on the kneecap and it will take me off the bike for a few weeks we do not know yet how many weeks but at least like four or five weeks I think " the 36-year-old said in a video posted to Twitter.
"After every crash I will stand up and fight back and I think the next victory will have a very special feeling for me. I think there will be a lot of emotion for this one so let s hope it is coming soon " he added.
On Tuesday Gilbert s teammate Julian Alaphilippe of France won the 16th stage of the race his second stage victory of the Tour.

--IANS pur/bg