Visma | Lease a Bike encounter first Giro problem as key Vingegaard domestique withdraws

Visma | Lease a Bike announced on Tuesday, just before the start of stage four, that Wilco Kelderman would not be taking to the start line. The Dutchman was caught up in the major crash in stage two and the injuries he sustained have proved too much to continue. With his withdrawal, Jonas Vingegaard loses an important climbing domestique for the weeks ahead.

The eighth abandonment of this Giro is confirmed: Kelderman will not be on the start line the day after the first rest day. In the crash — which also forced out several UAE Team Emirates-XRG riders and GC contender Santiago Buitrago — the Dutchman picked up a number of injuries. He was able to see out stage three, but Visma | Lease a Bike ultimately decided not to allow him to start stage four.

More as the story develops...