BMC Racing's Rohan Dennis Abandons the Giro d'Italia on Stage 4

Rohan Dennis has pulled out of the Giro d’Italia after suffering from injuries sustained in a crash on stage 3

Australian Dennis’s maiden Giro d'Italia has ended in a bitter blow, the leading BMC rider suffered injuries in a high-speed crash on Stage 3 on the run into the finish line in Cagliari, where the peloton split in high winds.

Another rider hit Dennis in the panic of the echelons that formed, and left him with severe road rash, a sore head and neck, and headaches as a result.

Despite receiving physiotherapy on Monday’s rest day yesterday, Dennis failed to recover sufficiently and was complaining about headaches.

He started stage 4 from to Mount Etna, the first mountain finish of the race, but three hours in race radio confirmed that the 26-year-old was out of the race, abandoning, not feeling well enough to continue.

Team mate American Tejay van Garderen was relying on Dennis as a key support rider, and was even the back-up team leader.

Tejay van Garderen finished the fourth stage up Mount Etna confortably in the bunch and looked in fine form.

The news will of course be disappointing for van Garderen and the team, especially if van Garderen's GC ambitions play out.