Pöstlberger forced out of Tour after bee sting to mouth, allergic reaction

Lukas Pöstlberger has been forced out of the today during today's stage after being stung in the mouth by a bee and having an allergic reaction. He has been taken to hospital

Lukas Pöstlberger has been forced out of the Tour de France after he was stung in the mouth by a bee during today's stage 19.

The Austrian, riding for Bora-hansgrohe, was being treated by the Tour medics on the move but he then suffered an allergic reaction to the sting and had to be taken to hospital.

It means his 2020 Tour is over having survived the mountains and just two days before the race rolls into Paris for its big finale.

Pöstlberger is a former team mate of Ireland's Sam Bennett on Bora-hansgrohe and also won the Rás Tailteann in Ireland back in 2015, making him a favourite among Irish cycling fans.

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When Bennett won stage 10 of the Tour and the TV cameras were on him after the finish, Pöstlberger could be seen riding well out of his way to catch up with Bennett and congratulate his former team mate on his stage win.

Pöstlberger (28) won the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia in 2017 and claimed the leaders jersey; leading out Sam Bennett but pulling so hard on the front he got a gap which he kept all the way to the finish.

He has also won the Austrian road race championships twice, among a number of other professional victories.

Lukas Pöstlberger in yellow on Rás Tailteann in 2015, the year he won the race (Photo: Paul Mohan - Sportsfile)