Sir Bradley Wiggins has been withdrawn from the Giro d’Italia on the medical advice of the team doctor due to illness.

Team Sky medical staff monitored the 33-year-old overnight following a difficult stage 12 that saw Wiggins slip off the back of the peloton in the closing stages.

Due to a worsening chest infection, the decision was taken for Wiggins not to start the race’s 13th stage on Friday from Busseto to Cherasco.

Outlining the situation, British Cycling’s Performance Director and Team Sky Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “We monitored Bradley overnight and this morning we’ve withdrawn him from the Giro after consulting the team doctor. His chest infection has been getting worse and our primary concern is always the health of our riders.

“Bradley will return to the UK today for treatment and to rest and we hope to have him back on the road as soon as possible.

“As a passionate racer he wanted to continue but he is simply unable to do so on medical grounds.”