Casagrande expelled from Giro

Francesco Casagrande has been expelled from the Giro d'Italia for causing John Freddy Garcia to take a spill during the 15th stage.

The race jury's decision, which cannot be appealed, added more drama to a Giro already rocked by a doping scandal.

Casagrande is the captain of the Fassa Bortolo team and a favourite for overall victory.

The jury who ordered his expulsion ruled that Casagrande's behaviour was "gravely incorrect".

Jury president Martin Swinkles said the decision was taken unanimously and based on reports from other riders.

There were no television tapes showing how the incident occurred.

Garcia fell while sprinting with Casagrande for race points early in the stage and was forced to withdraw after suffering facial cuts and bruises.

He was taken to hospital in Padua. Race officials said he did not suffer any fracture.

"Casagrande caused me to fall," Garcia told television interviewers as he still stood on the asphalt, bleeding from his injuries.

Casagrande claimed he did nothing wrong. "I gave the jury my version. We collided but it was unintentional," he said.

Fassa Bortolo team manager Giancarlo Ferretti said he considered Casagrande's expulsion an unfair decision.

He added that the team will start in Wednesday's stage without their captain.

Casagrande, considered the best climber of the field, was expected to take advantage of the two next stages on his favourite uphill courses.

He ranked fourth overall after Tuesday's leg, 1:07 minutes behind leader Jens Heppner.