Cycling-Australian rider Dennis missing after quitting Tour de France

Rohan Dennis's Bahrain Merida team was unable to locate the Australian rider after he abandoned the Tour de France on Thursday. Time trial world champion Dennis, one of the favorites for Friday's individual effort against the clock, pulled out 80km from the finish of the 12th stage, organizers said, but he has not been seen since then.

"Our priority is the welfare of all our riders so will launch an immediate investigation but will not be commenting further until we have established what has happened to Rohan Denis," Bahrain Merida said in a statement. According to French TV, Dennis was seen arguing with his team car before climbing off his bike.