Prior to the Tour de France time trial the day before, many saw Primoz Roglic's lead over Tadej Pogacar as unassailable. [Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) not only fell off the podium, he dropped two more places.

Colombian Lopez started the day in third place overall, 99 seconds behind Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo), but it was not enough as the Australian finished third in the stage. Lopez was caught by Pogacar and Roglic and finished in 45th place, 4:56 behind Porte.

In the overall standings, he not only lost third place, but was passed by Mikel Landa (Bahrain McLaren) and Enric Mas (Movistar), dropping him to sixth overall.

"It was a difficult day, a complicated day. I didn't feel good today, and that's how I felt," Lopez said, according to El Tiempo.

"We had the final act of the Tour. But we were one day short."

He said.

This was the Tour de France debut for Lopez, who won the Tour de Lavenir in 2014. He finished on the podium at the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, winning two stages in the latter.

He rode strong into the final day, losing some time in the Pyrenees on the second day, but was consistent in the second and third weeks, taking a memorable stage win at the Col de la Rose in the Alps.

However, the high altitude, steep, and erratic climb suited his abilities perfectly, but on Saturday he crashed to the ground in his Achilles heel, the time trial.

"This sixth place, well, it's my first Tour. I was dreaming of a podium. The important thing is that I kept fighting until the end. Someone has to lose.

"I tried. I was in good shape throughout the Tour, but you have to go to the end. I was able to be part of the podium contenders. There is always at least one loser. It was my first Tour and I enjoyed it.