Defending champion Chris Froome has abandoned the Tour de France after two crashes in the rain left him in agony on the fifth stage. This means Froome's attempt to win a second successive Tour de France has ended in bitter disappointment after less than a week of the race. The Briton appeared in great pain after falling for the second time, some 70 kilometers from the finish. The Team Sky rider was limping heavily as he eventually climbed onto a team vehicle after chatting to one of his support crew. In the earlier race, Froome hurt his wrist and suffered bruises to his left side. -- Mornings @ ANC, July 10, 2014.