Geraint Thomas Abandons the Giro d'Italia after failing to recover from motorbike injuries

Team Sky rider wisely decides to withdraw ahead of the BRUTAL final 10 days in the mountains on Giro d'Italia

Thomas and others were wiped out by a police motorbike on stage 9 on the lower slopes of the climb of BlockHaus. Thomas sustained a dislocated shoulder, cuts and bruises to his knee, shoulders and arms in the serious crash which ultimately saw Thomas lose over 2 minutes to his GC rivals after getting back on and continuing the fight for pink.

The next day he put in an awesome ITT and took time back.

It's a real blow for Team Sky and UK cycling fans, but Thomas will be back soon at the Tour de France in July.

“I’ve been suffering since my crash on Sunday,” Geraint Thomas said in a statement on Friday. “I’ve had an issue with my shoulder which is manageable, but my knee has also been getting worse each day.

“Obviously it’s never nice to leave a race early, especially when it’s your main goal of the season, but I have to look at the bigger picture. I’d love to continue, but it would be a case of trying to survive each day rather than racing."

II’ll turn my attention to the Tour now, and I want to arrive there with as good form as I started the Giro."

“I want to thank all the staff and riders here. It’s been great fun and I wish them all the best for the remainder of the Giro. I’ve really enjoyed racing in Italy again. The fans have been amazing and I’ll be back.”

THANK YOU! @GeraintThomas86? has a special video message for all the amazing fans who have supported him and the team at #Giro100 pic.twitter.com/xZs8lnzFwn

— Team Sky ?? (@TeamSky) May 19, 2017