In 1999, JV crashed in the first week and in 2000 he managed to get to the second before a repeat.

When Vaughters reached the second rest day of the 2001 Tour, its third week, he had cause for some celebration and relaxation.

JV thought: Surely nothing could go wrong now?

Wrong. The combination of a rogue southern French wasp and cycling's strict doping rules meant Vaughters' third week of the Tour lasted just 10km.

The insect made its impact during a training ride on the rest day, something riders must do to keep their legs from seizing up during a three-week race.

He was unable to treat the sting because it would have required a kind of cortisone injection that is banned by anti-doping rules.

Photographs of the climber from Denver, Colorado, make it clear why he could not go on.

"If you can't see where you're going in a bike race it's not safe," said the Credit Agricole rider.

"It's very disappointing. I've had some horrible luck in the Tour before."