The Omega Pharma Quick Step rider crashed close to the finish line of the opening stage in Harrogate, taking down Simon Gerrans, something Cavendish later said was a case of "trying to go for a gap that was not there".
Cavendish suffered a shoulder separation and was taken to hospital in Harrogate.
However, the injury has proved serious enough to force him out of the race which heads for Sheffield today.
Source: DSG
