Simon Yates has abandoned the Giro d’Italia
The Brit stepped off during stage 17.
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Simon Yates has abandoned the Giro d’Italia.
The Brit unexpectedly dropped from the GC group early on stage 17 before news filtered through hours later, with less than 40km to go, that he had quit the race.
Yates won two stages for BikeExchange-Jayco at this Italian Grand tour, the stage two time trial in Budapest before also taking stage 14 in Torino.
Arriving with GC ambitions, Yates crashed on stage four to Mount Etna yet still managed to finish with the favourites despite picking up a knee injury.
The fall would eventually take its toll on stage 9 to Blockhaus, however, Yates losing more than 11 minutes and leaving his hopes for the maglia rosa in tatters.
Yates abandoned after a wet and cold day on the way from Ponte di Legno to Lavarone, with more tough climbing still to come this final week.
“Yates’ fall on Mount Etna and subsequent knee problem (likely edema of the bony spongiosa of the patella) weighed down on the rider for all following stages of the Giro d’Italia.” team doctor Matteo Beltemacchi said. “Despite daily therapy and Simon’s tenacity, that resulted in a second stage win, the knee pain grew worse and worse, eventually leading to the decision for his retirement from the race.”
The 29-year-old will be hoping for a swift recovery as he has designs for a Tour de France participation in a month’s time.