Joaquim Rodriguez out of Giro d'Italia after stage six crash
Spanish overall hope Joaquim Rodriguez requires hospital treatment after Giro crash
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) has withdrawn from the Giro d'Italia after suffering numerous injuries as a result of a crash on Thursday's stage six.
Rodriguez lost seven minutes and 43 seconds to stage winner and overall race leader Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) and rival Cadel Evans (BMC) on the stage, dashing any hopes of taking the race victory.
The Katusha leader suffered from deep cuts, fractured rib and a broken thumb as a swath of the peloton was brought down on slick roads within the final 12km to Montecassino.
"It hurts to leave the Giro, but there is no other option," Rodriguez said in a team statement. "The crashes were bad for all of us. The road was very slippery and we were going 60km an hour. Just touching your brakes was enough to crash. But that is a risk we always take. It is part of our job to try to be in the front to fight for the victory.
"I really cannot blame the organization or the local roads. After the crash I got back on my bike immediately, more full of aggression and determination, but after a while I clearly felt what the problem was, as I could not breath anymore."
In addition to Rodriguez, Katusha's Giampaolo Caruso and Angel Vicioso were also forced to abandon after crashing in today's stage. Caruso was already carrying a scaphoid fracture from crashing in Belfast during the race's depart in Ireland.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
I'm not into cake stops - but - I made an exception to rate five British delicacies in one ride
Of all the cakes named after places in the north-west of England, which is the tastiest? Simon Warren sets out to sample them all in a single epic ride
By Simon Warren Published
-
The Rugby Flyer flies again: the story of the first sub-hour '25' time trial
How one record-breaking bike – and the memory of the man who rode it – live on
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Joaquim Rodriguez WILL retire after all, saying another year 'was not possible'
Spanish veteran Joaquim Rodriguez was initially enticed back to racing in 2017 with Bahrain-Merida, but instead will join the new squad as a member of staff
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Joaquim Rodríguez: 'I'm not happy with how it ended'
Joaquim Rodríguez wants to finish his career on a high
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Joaquim Rodriguez performs retirement U-turn to join Bahrain-Merida
Joaquim Rodriguez announces he will join Bahrain-Merida in 2017 having previously announced he was to retire from cycling
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Bahrain-Merida boss denies team is signing Joaquim Rodriguez
Bahrain team dispels rumour that they have signed Joaquim Rodriguez, but said that they are trying to sign Ion Izaguirre from Movistar
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Joaquim Rodriguez forced to shelve immediate retirement plans
Joaquim Rodriguez is scheduled to ride four more races this season, despite planning to retire after the Olympic Games
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
'Olympic road race was the most difficult day in my career,' says Dan Martin
Cyclists in the Olympic road race react to a tough course. For Dan Martin, Michal Kwiatkowski and Joaquim Rodriguez, this was cycling at its most brutal
By Simon Collis Published
-
Joaquim Rodriguez announces retirement from cycling on first Tour de France rest day
In an emotional announcement during the Tour de France rest day, Joaquim Rodriguez said that this season would be his last
By Jack Elton-Walters Published
-
10 riders to watch at La Flèche Wallonne
Alejandro Valverde will be the favourite to win his third consecutive Flèche Wallonne title on Wednesday, but who will be his main challengers?
By Stuart Clarke Published