Team Sky's Mikel Landa out of Giro d'Italia

Team Sky have announced that lead rider Mikel Landa has been forced to retire from the Giro d'Italia due to viral gastroenteritis.

Landa, a two-time stage winner at last year's Giro, found himself in eighth position before Tuesday's stage 10, one minute and 18 seconds behind leader Gianluca Brambilla of Etixx-QuickStep.

Team Sky tweeted during the early part of Tuesday's action, to say it had been a "difficult start" to the stage for the Spaniard.

And later, it was confirmed that Landa had been forced to pull out of the race altogether.

"Mikel woke up early this morning feeling unwell with abdominal pains. It appears as though he has a viral gastroenteritis," said Team Sky doctor Inigo Sarriegui.

"We will assess him at the team hotel and then determine the best course of treatment to ensure he recovers as quickly as possible."

"Mikel was ill overnight but we spoke this morning and he started today's stage with the hope of being able to pull through", added Dave Brailsford, general manager of Team Sky.

"It was pretty clear that the illness had badly affected him and that he wasn't going to be able to continue.

"We are really disappointed for Mikel, who was riding well and looking forward to attacking in the mountains and animating the race.

"However, we came here as a team and we'll continue as a team. There is a long way still to go, and although our focus was on Mikel, there's plenty of time for us to still make an impact at this Giro."