Cruel blow to Swift’s Olympic hopes

The 24-year-old has fractured his right shoulder in a training ride less than 48 hours before the start of the race in Herning, Denmark.

A disappointed Swift tweeted last night: “‘Well that is my Giro over, had a very heavy crash out on the bike today, very disappointed not to be able to start. Further checks tomorrow.’

Missing the Giro will hamper the former St Joseph Primary pupil’s preparations for the London Olympics.

A Team Sky statement said: “‘Team Sky’s Ben Swift has been forced to withdraw from the Giro d’Italia after sustaining a fractured right shoulder whilst on a training ride.”

“Ben will now concentrate on making a full recovery.”