Giro: Spaniard Ayuso Retires on 18th Stage

Morbegno: Juan Ayuso of Spain, one of the pre-tour favourites, has withdrawn from the Giro d’Italia. The Spaniard, representing UAE, abandoned the race during Thursday’s 18th stage, the Morbegno-Cesano Maderno. Four kilometers from the Parlasco GPM high-mountain prize, Ayuso pulled over to the side of the road and climbed into a UAE van.

According to Ansa News Agency, the Spanish rider was already recovering from a difficult week due to knee problems. He had been stung by a bee and showed up at the start with his eyes practically closed. After Slovenian star Primoz Roglic, who abandoned the race on Tuesday, Ayuso’s withdrawal marks the loss of another of the big favorites in the world’s second biggest tour race.