Matteo Pelucchi (26) will not be starting the second stage of Tirreno-Adriatico in Cascina this morning. 

Having already been suffering from digestive problems for the past several days, he then crashed heavily on Thursday, March 12th, close to the finish of the event’s first stage.  Consequently, the Italian sprinter will be unable to continue. 

The team’s doctors and sports management agreed that the preferred option was to send the rider home to allow him time to heal and recover in view of his upcoming racing program.