Tragedy-hit Leopard withdraws from Giro

LIVORNO, Italy - The Leopard Trek team withdrew from the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday a day after team member Wouter Weylandt died in a crash during the second stage the team announced.

The decision by the riders - who crossed the line alongside each other accompanied by Weylandt's training partner, Tyler Farrar, in Tuesday's third stage which was not contested as a mark of respect - was endorsed fully by the team managers.

"The decision needed to be taken by the riders because they are the ones that participate in the race," said General Manager Brian Nygaard.