procedure on his left knee Friday, the team ha

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. Harrison Butker Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Damien Wilson Jersey . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. http://www.customchiefsjersey.com/custom-mack-lee-hill-jersey-large-916n.html .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. Derrick Nnadi Jersey .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Rashad Fenton Jersey .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up.Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure on his left knee Friday, the team has announced. Copeland, who signed a two-year, $6.135 million contract with the Pacers as a restricted free agent during the offseason, is estimated to need 6-to-8 weeks of recovery time and expected to be ready when the team begins its training camp in the fall. Thee 29-year-old Copeland is coming off a solid rookie season with the New York Knicks in which he averaged 8.dddddddddddd7 points and 2.1 rebounds over 56 games and shot 42.1 percent from 3-point range. Prior to signing with the Knicks in 2012, Copeland spent five seasons playing overseas in Spain, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium and was a member of the NBA Developmental Leagues Fort Worth Flyers in 2007. ' ' '