Injured Richie Porte quits Giro to help Chris Froome Tour bid

The Australian began the Giro with overall victory as the target, but his race has ended following a crash towards the end of Friday’s 13th stage to Jesolo

Richie Porte had set his sights on victory in the Giro d’Italia but injury has forced him out (AFP/Getty)

Team Sky’s Richie Porte has withdrawn from the Giro d’Italia to recuperate for his role as support for Chris Froome in the Tour de France.

The Australian began the Giro with overall victory as the target, but his race has ended following a crash towards the end of Friday’s 13th stage to Jesolo, which resulted in injuries to his knee and hip. “I’m gutted it’s ended this way,” Porte said. “The Giro has been my main goal this year and I’ve worked incredibly hard all season with this race in mind.”

Porte, who also picked up a time penalty last week, added: “I fell heavily on my knee and hip, which caused me a lot of pain in Saturday’s time trial and yesterday’s stage. I just wanted to give it everything but the medical team have advised me not to continue.”

Porte was unable to reel in the deficit from Friday’s crash on Saturday and now will focus on finding form and fitness to be Froome’s key lieutenant in the Tour, which begins on 4 July in the Netherlands.

Porte added: “The plan for me is to take some time off the bike, get the treatment that I need, reset my goals for the rest of the season and come back fighting. Hopefully, I can get myself ready for the Tour team.” After a rest day yesterday, racing resumes today with stage 16 from Pinzolo to Aprica.