British rider Simon Yates has been withdrawn from the Tour De France ahead of stage sixteen which starts in Carcassone.
Orica GreenEdge have decided that the 21-year-old will return home to rest and recover
“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity with the start in Yorkshire,” Yates said to his team's website.
“Almost in my home training base basically and it’s something I will never forget for the rest of my life.
“Once we got over to France it’s been non-stop really and it really has been surreal, a really good experience and I hope to be back here in a year to come.”
Yates pinpointed Stage 15's breakaway effort as his highlight of the Tour and said: “Racing wise, on Sunday in the breakaway, I felt really good.
“I got away in a big group, I think there were 17 away in the end, and just got caught in the final climb again.
“But going back to the experience thing, it’s one of those things that you really take on board and it helps you for the future so I think it was just another great opportunity and I’m looking forward to being back.”
White, thrilled with his debut on the biggest stage of world cycling, said there are many reasons to be excited about what is to come for the young rider.
“Ten out of ten,” sport director Matt White said about Yates’ performance during the race.
“For a 21-year-old neo-pro, he contributed every day, everything he could do.
“Making one break in the Tour de France is an achievement but to make a couple and the way he has gone about the whole Tour de France experience is a great sign for the future.
“Yes, it would be nice for him to finish the Tour, but it was a group decision that enough is enough and we have a lot of goals for him in the second half of the season.”