Fabian Cancellara's nightmare season continued on Monday as he was forced to abandon the Vuelta a España with a stomach illness.
The Swiss rider had made his second comeback of the year from a broken back at the Spanish race, having suffered the injury at both E3 Harelbeke and the Tour de France.
Cancellara started the stage to Malaga despite the illness but climbed off his bike before the finish, although he was reportedly already over the time limit at that point.
The Trek Factory Racing man's spring campaign was ruined by a crash 20km into E3 Harelbeke in March, breaking two vertebrae in his back and missing the entire cobbled campaign.
Then in his comeback at the Tour de France he suffered the same injury in the huge crash on stage three, which wiped out a number of riders.
Having returned for the second time in a season he could not make it past the third stage of a Grand Tour again, calling it a day after suffering for two days in the heat of southern Spain.
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
-
‘I couldn’t quite believe it’ - Charlie Quarterman on his rags to riches Giro d’Italia selectionThe British rider spent a year at amateur level with Philippe Wagner Cycling before heading back to the top with Corratec
-
‘Giving up the Giro breaks my heart’ – Trek’s Giulio Ciccone forced out of home tour by Covid symptoms
Italian was relishing leading Trek’s challenge at Giro that starts in his home region
-
Lizzie Deignan to return to racing at Flèche Wallonne, is a possibility for Liège–Bastogne–Liège
Trek-Segafredo finalise roster for Wednesday's Ardennes Classic, with Deignan returning for the first time since 2021
-
Lizzie Deignan: 'It’s a shame someone can’t see the value of the Women’s Tour'
The Women’s Tour’s only double winner expresses her disappointment after the cancellation of the 2023 race
-
‘She said she wanted to cry’ - Elisa Longo Borghini lauds team-mate after dominant Jebel Hafeet win
The Italian duo rode clear of the peloton at the UAE Tour to take a memorable one-two
-
All the 2023 kits: EF Education-EasyPost share latest collaboration with Rapha
American WorldTour team become latest to release their new 2023 kit, here's the rest
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
-
Trek-Segafredo win the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta team time trial
Elisa Longo Borghini led the American squad home and will take the leader's red jersey into the remaining four stages
