LES ROUSSES, France – Fabian Cancellara failed to live up to expectations when he surrendered the Tour de France yellow jersey on the first day in the mountains Saturday.

Cancellara, the Olympic time-trial champion who races for Saxo Bank, was expected to match the pace on the race’s seventh stage — which featured six climbs but none that were either too steep or too long.

But on what was a hot and humid day in the Jura made worse by a punishing pace set, principally, by the Bbox team, Cancellara was left finishing the stage over 14 minutes adrift of stage winner and new race leader Sylvain Chavanel.

Although not a long-term race contender he was hoping to keep the coveted tunic in order to celebrate having spent 21 days in the yellow jersey.

“I was on the limit,” said Cancellara.

“It was hot, really hot. For me, it was just too much. I just couldn’t do any more.”

Cancellara finished among a group of riders that were timed at 14:12 behind Chavanel and is now 58th overall at 13:11 behind the French rider.

But the Swiss, who first pulled on the yellow jersey after his prologue win, losing it the next day to Chavanel and taking it back after stage three, said he had enjoyed every minute.

“I’ve had some great days in the yellow jersey. Tomorrow I’ll be back in my normal jersey. Things will be a bit more calm, and less stressful.”