Tom Dumoulin will be forced to rest for at least a week after a crash caused him to abandon the Giro d’Italia.
Sunweb leader Dumoulin pulled out of the race after suffering a gash to his knee on stage four.
The Dutchman lined up the following day, but stepped off the bike just 1.5km into stage five.
Dumoulin underwent an MRI scan on Thursday (May 17) which revealed no further damage, according to Dutch broadcaster NOS (opens in new tab), but the 28-year-old will have to spend at least a week off the bike.
In a Twitter on Friday morning (May 17), Dumoulin said: “Back home, feet up.
“Not much luck coming our way this year.”
>>> Fernando Gaviria abandons Giro d’Italia 2019
Dumoulin, Giro d’Italia winner in 2017, had made the Italian Grand Tour his main target but also planned to ride the Tour de France as well for the second year running.
He is now expected to focus his attention solely on the Tour in July, after finishing second in 2018.
Sunweb’s misfortune continued on stage six as their rider Robert Power abandoned on stage six after being caught in an early crash that also brought down race leader Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma).
Power overstretched his gluteal muscle and was unable to push the pedals.
There was a silver lining for the German team at the conclusion of stage six however, as 23-year-old GC prospect Sam Oomen jumped to 10th overall after finishing in the breakaway on stage six.
Dutchman Oomen was also caught in the same crash that took Power out of the race, but came back to join the break and finish 11th on the stage.
He said: “I wanted to go for the stage victory but a lot went wrong in the finale.
“The guys in in the break were watching me but also marking each other out too. The climb itself wasn’t difficult enough for me to make the difference on, although I could set a strong pace I was missing the little bit of explosiveness that I needed.
“It’s a shame the stage ended like that but it gives me and the team confidence to try again later in the race.”
Thank you for reading 10 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
-
-
Rider disqualified from Zwift UCI World Championships hit with MyWhoosh DQ
South African Eddy Hoole disqualified by MyWhoosh due to Hoole's suspension by Cycling South Africa
-
Jumbo-Visma trials adjustable tyre pressure system at Dwars door Vlaanderen
Men's team tested Gravaa KAPS (kinetic air pressure system) hubset system ahead of Paris-Roubaix
-
Pfeiffer Georgi relishes new leadership role at Team DSM
'I feel like I’m able to be more in the race,' says the in-form Brit
-
‘It was perfect being boxed in’ - Charlotte Kool doubles up on final day of UAE Tour
The Dutchwoman proved the fastest, while Elisa Longo Borghini toasts overall victory with ice cream
-
‘I’m excited to be in the game myself again’ - Charlotte Kool stuns world's best at UAE Tour
The Team DSM rider sprinted into the spotlight with victory on stage one
-
Meet Sean Flynn, the Edinburgh-born mountain biker moving to the WorldTour with DSM
The 22-year-old has stepped up to elite level after two years with development teams, and is looking to push on
-
Flying Dutchwoman: Lorena Wiebes on pressure, winning at the Tour de France, and leaving DSM
The SD Worx rider won 22 races in 2022, including two stages at the Tour de France Femmes and a clean sweep at the RideLondon Classique. She told Adam Becket how she did it
-
‘You never know in the Tour’ - Romain Bardet fearless as he lines up Tour de France GC bid
The 32-year-old is ready to play the tactical game this July
-
Humble, grounded but not satisfied: Scottish rider Sean Flynn's WorldTour ascension
DSM have signed a rider who they believe can develop into a potential winner of hilly Classics
-
Ex-mountain biker Sean Flynn completes 'dream' move to DSM
The Scotsman has signed a two-year contract with the WorldTour outfit
