Caleb Yuan (Lotto Soudal) has abandoned the Giro d'Italia. The Australian, who won two stages in the opening week, left the race midway through stage 8.

Ewan had won stages 5 and 7 and was leading the points standings as a result. He left the Giro d'Italia before the finish in Milan on May 30, intending to win stages in all three Grand Tours this year. But after a frantic start on stage 8, the 26-year-old left the race. His Lotto-Soudal team posted on social media that the rider was suffering from knee pain. After winning stage 7, Ewan admitted that he is already focused on his goals for later this year.

"My goals for this year remain the same and I need to do my best for the Tour. Unfortunately, sprinter's legs don't recover the same way as other riders.

"The weather hasn't been great this year and many riders have hurt their legs. If that happens, it will be difficult to start again in the next Tour." Alexis Gujar (AG2R Citroen), Nikias Arndt (Team DSM), Victor Raffay (Cofidis), Giovanni Carboni (Bardiani-CSF Fezzan), Francesco Gavazzi (Eolo Cometa), Victor Campenalts ( Cubeka Assos) cleared the field.

There was a crash in the tunnel, but early reports indicate that Ewan had fallen before the incident occurred. Click here for live coverage of stage 8.