Bradley Wiggins withdraws from Giro d'Italia due to illness

Bradley Wiggins has withdrawn from the 2013 Giro d'Italia after suffering from a lingering chest infection, the Sky team confirmed on Friday morning. He will not start stage 13 after the team sought medical advice on Wiggins' condition.

Wiggins struggled in the severe weather conditions on Thursday's stage 12. Despite the flat nature of the route, he lost over three minutes to the peloton including race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and second-placed Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) - ending his chances of winning the race.

"We monitored Bradley overnight and this morning we've withdrawn him from the Giro after consulting the team doctor," Sky team principal David Brailsford said in a statement. "His chest infection has been getting worse and our primary concern is always the health of our riders.

"Bradley will return to the UK today for treatment and to rest and we hope to have him back on the road as soon as possible.

"As a passionate racer he wanted to continue but he is simply unable to do so on medical grounds."

Rigoberto Uran will now resume Sky team leadership. The Colombian currently sits third overall behind race leader Nibali and Evans.

Defending Giro champion Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) and sprinter Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) also withdrew from the race and will not start stage 13.

Twitter: @NigelWynn

Related links

Rigoberto Uran takes over Sky leadership at Giro after Wiggins withdraws

Giro d'Italia 2013: Previews and race info

Giro d'Italia 2013: Coverage index

Giro d'Italia 2013: British TV schedule

Giro 2013: 10 things you need to know

Giro d'Italia 2013: The Big Preview

Giro d'Italia 2013: Stage reports

Stage 12: Cavendish takes 100th win as Wiggins' Giro bid faltrs

Stage 11: Navardauskas wins as favourites enjoy day off

Stage 10: Uran wins as Wiggins and Hesjedal lose time

Stage nine: Belkov takes solo win as Wiggins put under pressure

Stage eight: Dowsett wins as Nibali takes race lead

Stage seven: Wiggins crashes as Hansen wins

Stage six: Cavendish wins stage six of Giro

Stage five: Degenkolb avoids crash to take win

Stage four: Battaglin sprints to first Giro stage win

Stage three: Paolini takes charge

Stage two: Sky wins team time trial

Stage one: Cavendish wins opener

Giro d'Italia 2013: Photo galleries

Photos by Graham Watson

Stage 12 gallery

Stage 11 gallery

Stage 10 gallery

Stage nine gallery

Stage eight gallery

Stage seven gallery

Stage six gallery

Stage five gallery

Stage four gallery

Stage three gallery

Stage two gallery

Stage one gallery

Team presentation gallery

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