Damiano Cunego has been forced out of the Tour de France following his crash in Thursday's stage from Bourg d'Oisans to St Etienne.

Cunego, 26, suffered bad grazing to his chin and chest as a result of a collision with Philippe Gilbert and Alexandre Botcharov 33km into the 18th stage.

The Italian remounted but he had to be guided to the finish by his Lampre team-mates, around 13 minutes behind the yellow jersey group containing Carlos Sastre, Cadel Evans and Frank Schleck.

Doctors administered running repairs to Cunego's chin during the stage before the rider was taken to hospital in St Etienne for further treatment.

The winner of the 2004 Giro d'Italia, 'the Little Prince' was expected to challenge for overall victory this year but lost time on the summit finish to Hautacam on stage 10 that he never looked like recovering.

Cunego was lying 20th overall at the time of his withdrawal, 25 minutes 48 seconds behind leader Sastre.

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