Israel - Premier Tech have been having a disastrous
Giro d'Italia and it does not stop here. The Israeli team are down to only three riders as
Nick Schultz will not start today's 19th stage of the race.
"Unfortunately Nick Schultz won’t start today’s stage of the Giro d'Italia," the team shared on social media. "He’s been fighting sickness for a number of days and, together with the team, has taken this decision in order to help his recovery.
Get well soon, Nick!" This comes as a hit for the team who hasn't been able to take a stage win or fight for the overall classification on the Corsa Rosa this year, and seemingly will not as only three days remain in the first Grand Tour of the season.
Since moving to Israel, the Australian rider struggled to find his best level, but was an absolute surprise on the opening day of the Volta a Catalunya this year where, together with Stephen Williams, the team outsmarted the rest of the peloton. A late attack from Schultz in the slight uphill finish saw him take the win in front of Tadej Pogacar - something very few riders can say this year.
However, he has not shown the same legs since, and at the Giro he was a shadow of himself. He finished eighth on the 'gravel stage' on the sixth day of the race, sprinting amongst the first of the peloton, but it was his only showing amongst the best. Schultz has been suffering with illness over the past few days and will not start stage 19 this morning in Mortegliano.
Israel is now down to only three riders: Hugo Hofstetter, Marco Frigo and Simon Clarke. Ethan Vernon abandoned in the first rest day with illness whilst Michael Woods, Riley Pickrell and Nadav Raisberg all abandoned after stage 5 all of them having suffered injuries during that stage.
