Basso withdraws from Vuelta

Andorra - Two-time Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso was forced to withdraw from the Tour of Spain on Saturday suffering from hypothermia.

"Ivan Basso had to withdraw from the Vuelta after descent from Envalira. He was frozen at the limit of hypothermia," his Cannondale team confirmed on their Twitter profile, as heavy rain and freezing temperatures hit the 155.7km stage from Baga to Andorra.

The Italian had been lying in seventh place in the general classification heading into the 14th stage of the race.

Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez (Belkin) was also forced to withdraw due to hypothermia earlier in the day having been leading the stage early on as part of a five-man breakaway group.