Wiggins pulls out as Cavendish records consecutive stage wins

Bradley Wiggins admitted his disappointment after being forced to abandon the Giro d’Italia, a race the Olympic champion had made his number one priority this season.

A second consecutive stage win for fellow Brit Mark Cavendish – and fourth of the event – today was overshadowed by the withdrawal of last year’s Tour de France winner, forced to pull out on the advice of Team Sky doctors prior to the stage start after suffering what was described as a “worsening chest infection”.