MARINA DI CARRARA (Italy), May 14, 2010 – Italy’s Paolo Tiralongo (Astana), the Lieutenant of Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan, had to abandon the Giro after a crash Friday during the sixth stage between Fidanza and Marina di Carrara.

Tiralongo crashed 82nd kilometers into the stage of 172 km. The crashed happened on the descent of the Passo del Bratello, the first real challenge of the day on a road made slippery by rain.

The Italian, who seemed to hit a pool of water, was evacuated by ambulance.

The French rider William Bonnafond (AG2R), and Italian rider Massimo Codolwho, crashed along with Tiralongo also abandoned.

Tiralongo, who is 32 years old, was ranked eighth in the Vuelta last year.