Paris - Double champion Ivan Basso of Italy has pulled out of the Giro d'Italia because of a cyst in his lower back, according to a media report on Thursday.
"No Giro d'Italia for Basso: cyst on the buttocks," sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport said on its website. Both the Giro and the paper are owned by RCS media group.
Basso, 35, won the Giro in 2006 and 2010, but was not regarded as a top contender this year, having shown poor form this season.
The Cannondale rider also twice finished on the Tour de France podium, taking third place in 2004 and second place in 2005.
The Giro starts in Naples on Saturday.