Richie Porte has been forced to withdraw from the Tour de Romandie on the morning of stage 2 due to illness.
 
BMC Racing Team Dr Dario Spinelli provided the following update on Porte's condition.
 
"Richie has developed some gastrointestinal problems and a fever overnight and is not fit to start today, particularly given the difficulty of stage 2. He is showing symptoms of a virus and hasn't had an appetite so it's not in his best interest to line up for a mountain stage with no fuel in the system," Dr Spinelli said.
 
Given the importance of the Tour de Romandie, Porte is disappointed to have to withdraw.
 
"Of course it's disappointing to have to stop but I trust the medical team's advice that it's the right decision," Porte said.