GERAINT Thomas has withdrawn from the Giro d'Italia with a fractured pelvis following his crash during Monday's stage three to Mount Etna.

Thomas, the pre-race favourite, hit the deck hard when he rode over a water bottle which rolled across the road during the neutralised roll out at the start of the stage in Enna.

He appeared to be riding comfortably despite badly torn kit and landing on his hip.

The Welshman completed the stage but had conceded more than 12 minutes by the time he reached the finish line, ending his aspirations of winning the maglia rosa.

This is the latest in a long line of injuries suffered by the Welsh rider.

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Thomas pulling out of the race due to injury will be a major blow for Ineos, who were enjoying a run of five successive Tour victories.

That ended last month when defending champion Egan Bernal abandoned the race after losing seven minutes to leaders on stage 15.

Ineos must now decide on a new leader for the rest of the Giro, with Tao Geoghegan Hart their highest-placed rider in the general classification at three minutes 19 seconds off the lead.

A statement from Ineos Grenadiers doctor Phil Riley said: "Geraint had an MRI and a CT scan this morning which revealed a small undisplaced fracture in the lower part of the pelvis which wasn't picked up on the X-rays yesterday.

"As a precaution he will be withdrawn from the race as it's an injury that could easily be aggravated."

Thomas added: "It's so frustrating. I'd put so much work into this race. I did everything I could and feel like I was in just as good, if not better shape, than when I won the Tour. I was feeling really good. So for it just to end like this is gutting.

"It does make the decision easier when there's a fracture in some ways, because obviously I don't want to do any more damage."