22 Wednesday, May 10, 2017 SPORTS SPORTS Wednesday, May 10, 2017 23

Etna ustralian pulled out of the Giro d’Italia during the fourth stage to the summit of Mount Etna in ASicily as he continued to suffer from injuries sustained in a crash. Dennis’s maiden Giro started in disastrous fashion, the BMC rider suffering injuries in a high-speed spill on stage three that left him with severe road rash and complaining of Italy’s rider of team a sore head and neck. Bahrain - Merida Despite receiving physio on Monday’s rest day, Dennis -- a former world record holder for track ’s hour event -- signs autographs failed to recover sufficiently to continue. He started the 181km ride from Cefalu to Mount Etna, the first summit finish o the race. But a message by BMC posted on their Twitter account three hours after the start said: “Unfortunately, @RohanDennis has been forced to abandon the race due to the effects of his stage 3 crash.” The Giro d’Italia, where Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain) is the defending champion, began in Sardinia on May 5 and finishes in Milan on May 28. Riders take the start of the 4th stage Colombia’s of team Results from the fourth stage, a Movistar 181 km ride from Cefalu to Mount Etna: Stage Etna But it was closed down on the is.” well in the finale, mostly when rivals have been working hard to 1. Jan Polanc (SLO/UAE) 4hr 55min 58sec, olombian race favourite counter by Movistar teammate Quintana returned from his Andrey countered Nibali. It was make sure they’re on top form 2. (RUS/KAT) at 19secs, CNairo Quintana said he , and Quintana native Colombia only recently a difficult climb, especially with for the Giro.” (AFP) 3. (GBR/SKY) 29, remains on schedule for the went on to finish 11th on the and added: “This first week the strong headwind. That’s the 4. (FRA/FDJ) same time, next climbing stage at the Giro stage behind Slovenian winner should allow me to improve my main reason we didn’t see any Etna Moreno was charged 5. Dario Cataldo (ITA/AST) s.t., d’Italia after cruising through his Jan Polanc. race form. I think I will be better big attacks. incenzo Nibali’s bid to defend with “acts of violence” 6. (NED/SUN) s.t., first high-altitude test on Mount Along with Nibali, the 2013 in time for Sunday’s stage.” “When Nibali attacked, the his Giro d’Italia crown was that earned him a “fine Etna yesterday. and 2016 champion, Quintana Stage nine signals the next tempo was already high. dentedV Tuesday after Bahrain of 200 Swiss Francs 7 (Lux) Quick-Step Floors, Quintana, the 2014 Giro is only 10secs behind new race foray into the mountains, a 149 But my teammates teammate Javier Moreno was (182 euros, $198) and 8. (GBR/ORI) s.t., champion, saw Italy’s defending leader Bob Jungels. km ride from Montenero di did an excellent job.” thrown off the race for violent elimination” from the 9. (NED/TRE), champion Vincenzo Nibali “The aim today was not to lose Bisaccia on the Adriatic coast to In a race that looks conduct during the fourth stage. race, according to a 10. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/BAH) throw down the gauntlet with any time. I don’t have as many the race’s second summit finish tailor-made for his Before the second and last climb statement by Giro a brief attack on the slopes of days racing in my legs compared at Blockhaus expected to host formidable climbing to Mount Etna in Sicily, television d’Italia organisers. Selected: Europe’s highest active volcano to them (rivals),” Quintana said. further hostilities. skills, Quintana is images showed Moreno riding up Nibali, the 20013 11. Nairo Quintana (COL) s.t., in a drama-filled fourth stage “It’s the first time I’ve raced But going on Tuesday’s expected to triumph. to and grabbing Team Sky rider and 2016 Giro 18. (ESP/SKY) s.t., that saw Nibali’s Spanish at high altitude since my return showing, Quinatana remains But he added: Diego Rosa by the back of the shirt. champion who also 20. (NED/TLJ) s.t. teammate Javier Moreno thrown from Colombia. So it was the assured. “Everyone says I’m the big The 32-year-old Spaniard was won the 2015 Tour de off the race for violent conduct. chance to see how my condition “We controlled things pretty favourite, but a lot of my seen shouting or warning the , faces a tough Italian, behaviour which officials challenge this year from from the race jury reacted to by 2014 champion Nairo 1. Bob Jungels (LUX/QST) 19hr 41min 56sec, expelling Moreno and leaving Quintana as he looks to bag 2. Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) at 6secs, Nibali with one less teammate for his third pink jersey. (AFP) 3. Adam Yates (GBR/ORI) 10, the remainder of his home race. 4. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/BAH) s.t., 5. (ITA/ALM) s.t., 6. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) s.t., 7. Tom Dumoulin (NED/SUN) s.t., 8. Bauke Mollema (NED/TRE) s.t., 9. Mikel Landa (ESP/SKY) s.t., 10. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/FDJ) s.t.

Selected: 15. Steven Kruijswijk (NED/TLJ) 23

The peloton rides along the sea during the 4th stage

Great Britain’s Geraint Thomas (L) of team Sky and France’s Thibaut Pinot of team FDJ cross the finish line of the 4th stage of the 100th Giro d’Italia, An hostess poses with the “trophy senza fine” before the start of the 4th stage