Video: Tragic end of career for Mikel Nieve, who crashes at Il Lombardia

Alongside Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tanel Kangert, another rider set to retire today after Il Lombardia was Mikel Nieve, but the plan had a tragic ending as the Basque climber crashed out of what was his last race as a pro rider.

Nieve had taken to the start line with Caja Rural - Seguros RGA, looking to end his career on a high, in a highly mountainous race such as the ones where he's succeeded in the past. A crash before the ascent to Forcella di Bura saw him and Lorenzo Fortunato hit the deck, leading to an abandon and a possible broken collarbone according to the team.

Although having only five careers in his long pro win, 80% of them have been in Grand Tours, as Nieve consistently won on highly mountainous stages, winning three of them - and the KOM classification in 2016 - at the Giro d'Italia, and having wins at the Vuelta a Espana and Critérium du Dauphiné aswell.

Long years of his career have been at his home Euskaltel - Euskadi team where he broke through internationally, but he's also had his chances for the overall classification in some Grand Tours, and has also played a role within Team Sky's golden years.

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