Colombian champion Sergio Higita was forced to abandon the race after suffering two crashes early in stage 15.

According to EF Pro Cycling team manager Jonathan Vaughters, debutant Higita suffered a suspected broken finger or hand in the first crash and will undergo further tests.

"Sergio is fine. Hand or finger fracture; X-rays will show the exact nature of the injury. No head injuries," he wrote on social media.

"Second crash was due to not being able to grab the brakes properly. Very sad to see him leave like this, but the important thing is that he is safe."

Higuchi was trying to make a breakaway on Sunday's stage to the summit of the Grand Colombier when Bob Jungels (Deceuninck-Quick Step) crossed him and took his front wheel.

Jungels made the turn at the head of the breakaway group and began to pull away, and Higuain had already begun to follow to the right.

Higuchi hit the ground on the left side at 59.6 km/h, but remounted and kept going. However, while trying to return to the peloton, he fell at a roundabout and hit the ground again.

A few kilometers later, with 134 km still remaining in the stage, Higuita stopped and leaned on the handlebars. He climbed into his team car and the race was over.

The loss of Hiwatari was a blow to EF Pro Cycling, which was leading the team standings. They had already won a stage by Daniel Martinez, and Rigoberto Uran remains in contention for the overall.

Higuchi was a useful ally for Uran in the mountain stages, but a breakaway on Sunday or in the final week was also much anticipated.