Porte pulls out of Giro d’Italia after miserable tour (Reuters)
Australia’s Richie Porte has pulled out of the Giro d’Italia due to injury as one of the pre-race favourites suffered a catastrophic first two weeks of the 21-stage event, his Team Sky said on Monday. “Richie Porte has been forced to withdraw from the Giro d’Italia on medical grounds following injuries sustained in a stage 13 crash,” Sky said in a statement on the final rest day of this year’s race. “After enduring an uncomfortable weekend of racing as he looked to continue the Grand Tour, the team’s medical staff have taken the decision to withdraw Porte at the second rest day.” Porte lost considerable ground on flat stages due to a time penalty and delaying crashes in the peloton before cracking in Saturday’s individual time trial.