The Giro is over for André Greipel and Greg Henderson. Both riders won’t start in today’s individual time trial. The German sprinter  came to the Giro to win a stage, which he did in stage six after a perfect sprint preparation.

“The day after the team time trial I had a first chance, but on the uphill finish I started too soon and I got beaten. Last Tuesday there was a new opportunity, but the escapees stayed ahead and yesterday the chaos in the finale was so big that I didn’t get to the front in time to do a good sprint. I’m happy we won one stage, but I had hoped for one more," Greipel said.

“The next stages are for GC riders. Considering the goals that are still coming we decided to quit the Giro. The Giro itself was definitely a nice experience. Now it’s time for recuperation. The Tour de France is of course the next big goal. To prepare that I’ll probably start in the ZLM Toer and possibly the Tour de Luxembourg.”

Tom Boonen will also leave Italy.

"Enough is enough, he has nothing to win in the next stages," Etixx-QuickStep manager Patrick Lefevere told Sporza. "It is mainly uphill with snow and cold. We do not want him to get sick. Yesterday he helped bring Uran to the front. He has done his job. "