PARIS, Aug 2, 2008 (AFP) – Italy’s Damiano Cunego, still feeling the effects of a fall in the Tour de France, on Saturday pulled out of the Olympic road race event in Beijing, his Lampre team announced.

He finished 36th in Saturday’s San Sebastian classic, more than nine minutes behind winner Alejandro Valverde, as he returned to competition after pulling out of the Grand Boucle three days before the end.

“I was having bad sensations when going uphill,” the reigning Amstel Gold race champion said. “I had problems breathing and a persistent headache.”

Photo by: CorVos Pro
The men’s road race at the Games finishes near the Great Wall on August 9.