Astana's Tanel Kangert, who sat seventh place on general classification ahead of stage 15, has been forced to abandon the 2017 Giro d'Italia after a horrendous crash with 10km to go on the stage.
The Estonian was riding within the main peloton when he ploughed straight into a traffic island in the middle of the road as the bunch came of a roundabout in the northern Italian city of Bergamo.
He sat on the ground immediately after the incident, which saw him thrown forward over his handlebars and crashing to the tarmac, clutching his left elbow as he waited for team support.
Astana later confirmed that their best placed rider on GC had suffered a broken elbow in the incident and would not be able to continue the race.
Having started the race with only eight riders after the tragic death of Michele Scarponi, now have seven riders within the race who will continue to look for stage wins in the difficult mountain stages of the third week.
Luis Leon Sanchez, who was in the breakaway when Kangert's crash occurred, has taken Astana's best result at this Giro with a third place finish on stage eight of the race.
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
-
-
Team USA announces all-star lineup for the UCI Gravel World Championships
With 23 elite riders led by Swenson and Stephens, Team USA hopes to claim a medal at the second-ever event in Italy
-
95% of the time I ride by myself - here's what I love most about solo cycling
From choosing my own route and pace to the chance to simply switch off, here are my top six reasons for cycling solo
-
Italian neo-pro Michele Gazzoli banned for one year for 'non-intentional' anti-doping violation
23-year-old has Astana-Qazaqstan contract terminated as a result of sanction
-
Miguel Ángel López suspended by Astana-Qazaqstan over reported links to doctor under police investigation
Team suspend Colombian rider until circumstances of the Police investigation are clarified
-
Vincenzo Nibali rolls back the years with shark attack on stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia
37-year-old up to fifth on general classification with five stages left
-
The general classification just got even tighter: Five talking points from stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia 2022
There was climbing, climbing, and more climbing on Tuesday
-
Miguel Ángel López forced to abandon Giro d'Italia on stage four
Astana-Qazaqstan rider suffering from hip injury
-
Joe Dombrowski 'on track' for the Giro d'Italia, his 'favourite race'
The Astana-Qazaqstan rider ready to support team and look for opportunities in Italy
-
'Top three in the Tour de France is a goal for me and the team': Alexey Lutsenko's ambitious plan
The Kazakh rider finished seventh at the 2021 Tour and second at the Critérium du Dauphiné
-
'It's like coming back home': Miguel Ángel López on returning to Astana after Movistar contract termination
The Colombian climber has set himself the challenge of winning the Giro d'Italia in 2022
