Australian rider Richie Porte of Team Sky has been forced to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia on medical grounds ©Getty Images

Team Sky's Australian rider Richie Porte has been forced to withdraw from the Giro d’Italia.  

The 30-year-old sustained injuries to his knee and hip during a crash in wet conditions on the 13th stage to Jesolo on Friday (May 22).

Porte continued following the incident only to be forced to pull out today.

His focus is now on trying to regain his fitness in time for the Tour de France, where he is likely to play a supporting role to Britain’s Chris Froome.

“I’m gutted it’s ended this way,” Porte said.

“Hopefully, I can get myself ready for the Tour team.

“The Giro has been my main goal this year and I've worked incredibly hard all season with this race in mind.

“The plan for me now is to take some time off the bike, get the medical treatment I need and reset my goals for the rest of the season and come back fighting.”

Porte is now concentrating on reganing his fitness in order to support Chris Froome in this year's Tour de France
Richie Porte is now concentrating on reganing his fitness in order to support Team Sky leader Chris Froome in this year's Tour de France ©Getty Images

Porte went into the Giro d’Italia as one of the favourites and made a promising start.  

He was hit, however, with a two minute time penalty and fined 200 CHF (£138/$213/€191) by the race commissaries for helping fellow Australian Simon Clarke, of the Orica-GreenEdge team, with a spare wheel following a puncture on stage 10.

Tinkoff-Saxo's Spaniard Alberto Contador currently leads the Giro.

He is 2min 35 ahead of nearest challenger Fabio Aru of Italy, who rides for the Astana team.

Movistar’s Costa Rican Andrey Amador is third, while Porte’s teammate Leopold Konig of the Czech Republic is the highest-placed Team Sky rider in fifth.

Today was a rest day.

The action is due to continue tomorrow with the 174 kilometres 16th stage from Pinzolo to Aprica.



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