Mads Pedersen withdraws from 2023 Giro d'Italia after falling ill overnight, from second in points jersey standings

Mads Pedersen has withdrawn from the Giro d’Italia after becoming ill with a cough and throat infection. The Danish rider’s team, Trek-Segafredo confirmed the news on their Twitter account on Friday morning. Ad The team wrote: “Unfortunately we have to report that @Mads__Pedersen won’t take the start at today’s stage of the #Giro.

Giro d'ItaliaHow to watch Stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia as Thomas and Roglic set to battle for pink11 HOURS AGO “Mads had a troubled night with a cough. He woke up this morning with a sore throat and tracheitis and is not fit to race. “Heal up, Mads” Pedersen was second in the standings for the points jersey at the first Grand Tour of the season, trailing Italy's Jonathan Milan by 22 points.

The 2023 Giro has been hit with a succession of high-profile withdrawals, most notably former race leader Remco Evenepoel who was just one of a legion of riders forced out with Covid. Ineos Grenadiers' Tao Geoghegan Hart also left the race with a broken hip following a heavy crash, from fourth in GC. Denz wins after breakaway chaos, Thomas holds pink 'It's the other way!' — Breakaway riders take wrong turn and lose lead 'I don't care' — Vine questions 'unclear' team strategy in extraordinary interview The General Classification is headed up by Geraint Thomas of Ineos Grenadiers, with Primoz Roglic of Jumbo-Visma two seconds behind him in second spot.