Wiggins leaves Giro d'Italia over illness
Bradley Wiggins has had to withdraw from Giro d'Italia because of a chest infection
By Nicole Hamer |12:49 17 May 2013
British cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins has had to pull from Giro d'Italia due to a cold and chest infection, his team, Team Sky, has said.
The news comes on Friday, 17th May, 2013, after the cycling champion suffered due to a bout of bad weather.
In Thursday’s fourth stage (16th May) Wiggins, or ‘Wiggo’ as he is often referred to by some, was 13th. However, he was left trailing behind by the peloton while the rain continued to pour.
Wiggins was seen by a doctor before his withdrawal from Giro d'Italia.
The head of Team Sky, Dave Brailsford, has said: “We monitored Bradley overnight and this morning we've withdrawn him from the Giro after consulting the team doctor.”
Adding: “His chest infection has been getting worse and our primary concern is always the health of our riders.
“Bradley will return to the UK today for treatment and to rest and we hope to have him back on the road as soon as possible.
“As a passionate racer he wanted to continue but he is simply unable to do so on medical grounds.”
It is hoped and believed that Wiggins will be fit and healthy enough for when it comes to the Tour de France. This is expected to take place next month on the 29th.
And it seems the Brit wasn’t the only one to suffer. Unfortunately Ryder Hesjedal of Team Garmin-Sharp also had to leave the Giro, and so could not begin the stage on Friday, because he was not up to full health according to reports.
In a statement he said: “I built my entire season around the Giro and I came here feeling great, but I have been suffering since the TT.”
Adding: “There's a virus that's been going around, so it could be that, or severe allergies, or going too deep on the TT combined with both – whatever it is, I'm only getting worse.”
It is understood Hesjedal saw medical staff and that he will return home, where reportedly there will be tests carried out and where he can “get healthy again”.
Sir Bradley Wiggins was the Tour de France winner of 2012, and he has also won a number of Olympic medals, among others.