Goss first rider to abandon 2011 Vuelta a Espana
Fifty kilometres from the finish of stage two of the 2011 Vuelta a Espana, Matt Goss (HTC-Highroad) finally decided enough was enough and opted to quit the race, suffering from a severely upset stomach.
"He's just empty," HTC-Highroad director Valerio Piva told Cycling Weekly. "He already had problems yesterday in the team time trial and today it just wasn't possible."
"It was a real pity," Piva said, "he was feeling very ambitious for this race, but it just wasn't possible."
Goss has been suffering for the last two days with diarrhoea, and although he was able to hang on until the pace really went up in the last couple of hours, as soon as the bunch started accelerating, the Australian had to quit.
Piva said that nobody else in the team was affected with the same problem.
Last year Goss played a key role for Mark Cavendish in the Vuelta leadouts, when the Briton won three stages, and the Australian is hoping to ride a strong World Championships this September.
"It's not good news for Denmark," Piva said. "The Vuelta is ideal preparation for the World's, and it could be tougher for Matt to find the same kind of form in other races."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I'm sure, though, he'll do everything he can to turn his bad luck around and fight hard right through to the end of the season."
Vuelta a Espana 2011: Related links
Vuelta a Espana 2011:Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Vuelta a Espana 2011: Latest news
Team Sky's TTT horror on troublesome course
Dan Martin confident and collected as Vuelta team leader
Pro predictions: Who will win the Vuelta?
HTC-Highroad's reservations about TTT course
Vuelta team time trial start order
Sky plans early start for Vuelta team time trial recon
Wiggins looking to minimise losses in testing Vuelta TTT
Riders voice support for Hushovd over Vuelta exclusion
Cancellara late to Vuelta after being hospitalised by bee sting
Nibali back for victory again in 2011 Vuelta
Wiggins: "I'm in a great position going into the Vuelta"
Wiggins confirmed as Sky leader for the Vuelta
Freire: It'll be tough in the Vuelta with Cavendish
Hushovd left out of Vuelta; Dan Martin to lead Garmin-Cervelo
Cavendish and Wiggins on provisional Vuelta start list
Climbers set to dominate in 2011 Vuelta
Millar on 2011 Vuelta: 'Modern-looking and very challenging"
2011 Vuelta set to return to Angliru and Basque country
Angliru back in 2011 Tour of Spain
Hushovd left out of Vuelta; Martin to lead Garmin-Cervélo
Vuelta a Espana 2011: Teams, riders, start list
Vuelta a Espana 2011: Who's riding?
Vuelta a Espana 2011 team list
Vuelta a Espana 2011
: Stage reports
Stage one: Leopard-Trek win opening TTT to put Fuglsang in front
Stage two: Chris Sutton grabs win
Vuelta a Espana 2011: Photo galleries
By Graham Watson
Stage one photo gallery
Vuelta a Espana 2011: TV guide
Vuelta a Espana 2011: ITV4 TV schedule
Vuelta a Espana 2011: British Eurosport TV schedule
ITV to show 2011 Vuelta
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Is Pogačar the greatest? The truth is it’s still a bit too soon to tell
The Triple Crown winner is yet to prove himself, according to Cycling Weekly's columnist
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
'An ode to AliExpress' - the hill climb bike optimised by 'unscientific testing'
4th place finisher at the 2024National Hill Climb, Andy Nichols shares some insights into his truly wild hill climb bike build
By Joe Baker Published