Fausto Masnada ends season - "With great regret, I have to announce that I will not be in action in the Italian autumn races"

The Quick-Step-Alpha Vinyl rider Fausto Masnada has decided to pause his cycling for the rest of the season. According to the Italian rider, he struggled with a seat issue during and after the Vuelta a Espana, and it still hasn't been resolved.

"With great regret, I have to announce that I will not be in action in the Italian autumn races. That as a result, I will not be able to participate in the Tour of Lombardy, one of my favorite races of the year, I am particularly sorry," Masnada wrote on Instagram.

The Italian played a crucial support role for Remco Evenepoel in his journey to red jersey in Vuelta a Espana, but the rider himself was suffering from seat problems.. "Unfortunately, it hasn't healed yet, I need more time to fix it," he said.

He won a stage of the Tour of Oman at the beginning of the year, Masnada's only victory of the season. The rider was looking forward to the Tour of Lombardy since he was second in last year’s tour. "It was a complex year. I'm looking forward to coming back next year in a healthy condition,” concluded Masnada.