David Millar (Garmin) pulled out of the Giro d?Italia mid-way through Sunday?s hilly stage from Forli to Faenza.
The Scot had planned to head home after the stage but decided to climb off a little earlier to avoid suffering in the intense 35 degree heat currently baking Italy.
Millar decided to ride the Giro as part of his build-up to the Tour de France after missing most of April due to breaking his collarbone in Paris-Nice. He was rarely in the thick of the action at the Giro but importantly, his season is now back on track and he on schedule to be
at his best for the Tour de France.
"This was my first race back after my surgery and I am pleased with how I have done,? Millar said before heading to Bologna airport for a flight home to Girona in Spain.
?I knew because of my injury I might not have made it to the end, and today's stage was just a little too much for me. But I can leave this race saying I raced hard and well, and that I have felt in good form. I'm proud of the team still there and I'll be rooting for them through Rome."
Millar told Cycling Weekly that he will ride the Dauphine Libere (June 7-14) as his final build-up for the Tour de France.
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Giro d'Italia 2009 links
Stage reports
Stage 15: Bertagnolli gifted stage win by Cervelo mix-up
Stage 14: Gerrans solos to win
Stage 13: Cavendish takes his third Giro win and prepares to head home
Stage 12: Menchov storms to Giro TT win and race lead
Stage 11: Cavendish romps to second Giro stage win
Stage 10: Di Luca lays down the gauntlet
Giro rest day review (May 18)
Stage nine: Cavendish blitzes rivals to win in Milan
Stage eight: Siutsou makes it two in a row for Columbia-Highroad
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