Thibaut Pinot will miss the Tour de France in his homeland as he recovers from being hospitalised with pneumonia and a high fever late in the Giro d'Italia.
The Groupama-FDJ rider got into difficulties on the penultimate stage of the Giro last month.
Pinot, winner of the Tour of the Alps in April, had been up in third place but was unable to finish after being admitted to hospital.
It was confirmed on Friday the 28-year-old will not compete in the Tour as he recovers with a view to being fit to ride later in the season.
"I am extremely disappointed because the Tour de France, the biggest race of the calendar, was a major goal of my season," said Pinot.
"During the Giro d'Italia, I competed with the best to the end. I wanted to reproduce that on the Tour de France, I felt capable. Unfortunately, I cannot be competitive. The decision now taken, I am already motivated and turned to new goals."
David Gaudu has been named as the replacement for Pinot, while Arnaud Demare will be the lead rider.
