Slovenian cycling star quits Giro d'Italia

Primož Roglič pulled out of the Giro d'Italia some 110 km into the 16th stage after suffering another crash, after his condition in the previous stage made it clear he lost the battle for the pink jersey.

The Slovenian Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe captain stepped down from his bike around 94 kilometres before the finish line of the 203 kilometre mountain stage from Piazzola sul Brenta to San Valentino, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

The Italian TV station RAI and procyclingstats.com reported that Roglič and Ecuador's Richard Carpaz (EF Education-EasyPost) were among the many cyclists that crashed on the wet roads.

The 35-year-old Slovenian rider had already suffered three falls in the previous stages. He ended stage 15 two days ago exhausted, losing 90 seconds to his rivals for the win in the general classification.

It was already unclear then whether he would continue the race but Roglič appeared at the start, even though he admitted before the last ride that he was no longer counting on the overall win.

"If I can ride, every kilometre I complete will be something good," he said. "I came to the start after I could not even ride yesterday. Realistically there is no more hope for the general classification. I'm only fighting for survival," he said.

This was the first time Roglič had to abandon the Giro, which he won two years ago. However, he has quit the Tour de France three times and the Vuelta once. Of the last nine Grand Tours he competed, he finished only four, winning three and taking third place once.

Before the latest stage Roglič was 10th overall, lagging three minutes 53 seconds behind the maglia rosa Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG).

Two Slovenians continue to compete at the Giro - Jan Tratnik for Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe and Matevž Govekar for Bahrain-Victorious.