LAC DE PAYOLLE, France -- Dribbling in pain on the punishing climb of the Col dAspin, Thibaut Pinot saw his hopes of winning the Tour de France disappear.While his rivals in the fight for the yellow jersey came out unscathed from the first big ascent of this years race on Friday, Frances top hope crossed the finish line nearly seven minutes after stage winner Steve Cummings, losing just over three minutes to the group that included defending champion Chris Froome.The sight of Pinot struggling during the 12-kilometer ascent of the legendary Pyrenean path, spit and sweat flowing down his face, was a shock.Pinot, a third-place finisher at the Tour two years ago, started the race with most French hopes on his shoulders. An excellent climber, Pinot improved in time trials heading into the race and was confident he would be able to fight toe to toe with Froome and Nairo Quintana for the overall win.Having avoided losing time in the first third of the race, the 26-year-old FDJ team leader entered the Pyrenees with high morale. Less than 163 kilometers further down the route leading to the Champs Elysees, at the finish line on the shores of the Lac de Payolle, the Frenchman cut an ashen-faced figure.I had bad legs, its as simple as that, said Pinot, whose struggles in the Category 1 ascent were in stark contrast to his scintillating form a year earlier on his way to a prestigious win on the slopes of the Alpe dHuez.I dont want to make excuses. Its the third time in my career that Ive blown up in the Pyrenees. Im not 100 percent, and at the Tour you need to ride at 100 percent. Obviously its a waste, my whole season is almost dust. The Tour was my main goal and after the first mountain stage, this goal is already dead.Pinots struggles even surprised his FDJ teammates, who set the tempo at the start of the ascent.They tried to put me in the best position at the foot of the climb, said Pinot, who enjoyed a strong start to the season crowned by a time trial title at the French national championships last month. After two kilometers, I understood I was not in top form. Let see how I fare tomorrow.With two more difficult stages in the Pyrenees this weekend, FDJ manager Marc Madiot said it is now crucial to find out quickly what exactly happened to his protege.He was even below his average level, obviously we expected more, Madiot said. We need to understand why he is not at his best level.Pinot brushed off suggestions that he prepared poorly for the race.We all wanted to peak at Mont Ventoux when the race will really start on July 14, Pinot said. But we are not machines. To hit peak form at the right time is easier to say than actually achieve.With Pinot, France had a good chance of producing a home champion for the first time since Bernard Hinault posted the final of his five wins back in 1985. Barring an improbable comeback, Pinot is now out of contention and the nations hopes hang on the fortunes of Romain Bardet and Warren Barguil, who have yet to lose time on the main favorites. Throwback UCLA Jerseys . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Russell Westbrook College Jersey . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. http://www.cheapuclajerseys.com/ . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. Authentic UCLA Jerseys . Thats about all he can do right now, so hes trying not to think about when he might be able to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers. Cheap UCLA Jerseys Authentic . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- While the Kansas City Royals headed for St. Louis after an 8-4 loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday night, center fielder Lorenzo Cain was going for a MRI.Cain suffered a left hamstring injury while running to first base in the seventh inning. Cain was first ruled safe, but upon a review the call was overturned.By the time the reversal was announced after an 83-second delay, Cain was already being attended to by a trainer and headed for the dugout.Whether Cain will be going on the disabled list is still unknown.I dont know, Royals manager Ned Yost said. You guys want to know what I dont know. Nobody knows. The doc will look at him and well evaluate him tomorrow. I wish I had an answer for you, but it doesnt happen that quick. Well have a MRI soon as they can get him in. Well determine how much fluid is on it and what the extent of it is.The defending World Series champion Royals can ill afford to have another serious injury to a key player. Alex Gordon just returned Saturday after missing 30 games with a fractured wrist, while third baseman Mike Moustakas is out for the season after knee surgery.Its tough especially the way the year has been going, Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said to see Cain go down. Its happened to quite a few guys. Weve just got to figure out a way to get through it. Weve got to hope its not anything serious. Its just an added adversity to a 162-game season. Its time for guys like myself and Gordo to step up and carry the team.At the last second it (Cains hamstring) kind of pops. Weve just got to hope for nothing to be torn in there and hopefully its just a couple of days and well get him back sometime on this road trip.The Royals open an eight-game three-city trip Wednesday, continuing this four-game series with the Cardinals with the final two games at Busch Stadium. The first five games are in National League cities, including three in Philadelphia.Yost said he is toying with the idea of playing designated hitter Kendrys Morales in the outfield in Philadelphia to keep his bat in the lineup.The Cardinals will likely be without rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz for the remainder of the Royals series. Diazs right eye was nearly swollen shut Tuesday, looking more like a puggilist than a baseball player.dddddddddddd He did not play Tuesday and probably will not return before the weekend.I just feel discomfort in my eye with the inflammation, Diaz said. I dont see very well right now, but thank God it is nothing worse.Greg Garcia, who started Monday, will likely fill in at shortstop until Diaz returns.Soon as we get the swelling down, he should be ready to go, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. They had no concerns structurally or anything else. I dont think its going to be very long for Diaz.The Cardinals and Royals have had a rivalry for the Missouri state championship since interleague play began. Well, actually longer.This goes back I think a ways to 85 that kind of solidified that, said Matheny, referring to the 1985 World Series that the Royals won in seven games. When we play these guys, its always a good matchup. Obviously, theyre the team wearing the (World Series) ring from last year. Theyve brought a young team in, built it from the ground up and did a lot of things right.Now its a young team with some experience and some success. We talk about the different components. They have everything they need to be in a good place to continue to win for a while. Im sure its going to be a good matchup for us.Right-hander Carlos Martinez starts Wednesday for the Cardinals, his first career start against the Royals. He tops the Cardinals with seven victories, 3.02 ERA and .209 opponents batting average.Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez is coming off his worst career start, surrendering 12 runs (11 earned) in one inning, plus three batters, Friday to the Astros. George Springer tripled and hit a grand slam in a nine-run first off Volquez.Yost is not putting any emphasis on the Cardinals series.I dont think there is any difference than for any other team, any other game, Yost said. 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