Bahrain McLaren's Rafael Valls has withdrawn from the Tour de France after breaking his femur in a crash on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, just 3km from the finish of the opening stage on Saturday.

The 33-year-old Spaniard is the first of two riders already out of this year's Tour. Lotto-Soudal's John Degenkolb finished outside the time limit and will not be allowed to race the second stage in Nice on Sunday.

Many riders were injured and limped home after the rainy first stage, which took place on a 156-km course around Nice. Most riders, like Pavel Sivakov of Ineos Grenadier, crashed on the wet descent, as did one of the pre-race favorites for the win, Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), in the same crash that Bals was involved in near the finish.

"Unfortunately, Rafa Valls broke his right femur in a crash during today's opening stage and has withdrawn from the Tour de France.

"Despite the bad weather, all eight riders fought through most of today's stage. However, Rafa was involved in a high-speed crash on the Promenade des Anglais, just 3km from the finish.

"Rafa was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery for a broken femur and was also treated for superficial injuries to his right shoulder, elbow, and knee," added team doctor Carlo Guardassione.

Bals moved from Movistar to Bahrain McLaren this season, but had previously ridden for the new team as Lampre-Merida in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.