The Spanish rider Dani Moreno (Katusha) abandoned the Tour de Romandie yesterday suffering from a strong bronchitis. The Katusha team rider got off his bike approximately 60 km into the third stage.

"I could not breathe and to continue under these conditions would not lead to anything. Better stop and recover," said the Spaniard. "I caught a cold in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège and with these temperatures we've had things have continued to get worse even though the team doctor treated me with antibiotics," added Moreno.

The conqueror of the Flèche Wallonne will take some rest in Andorra before he resumes his training programme and preparation for the remainder of the season. Dani Moreno is hotly tipped to feature as team leader in the Katusha line-up for the Giro d’Italia which begins a week from today.