Igor Astarloa out of Giro del Veneto with skin disorder

Former world champion Igor Astarloa (Barloworld) is out of the Giro del Veneto after failing to recover from the health problems that caused his withdrawal from the Tre Valli Varesine race last week. The Spanish rider has been troubled with orticarioide dermatitis and is undergoing tests to determine if it's caused by an allergy.

Before riding the Tour of Britain and facing a busy September, Astarloa Barloworld team will ride two races in Italy. Alberto Volpi will direct a team in the GP Nobili Rubinetterie on Wednesday August 23 with Giosuè Bonomi, Gianpaolo Cheula, Ryan Cox, Enrico Degano, Tiaan Kannemeyer, Jeremy Maartens and Perry James. The day after the team will ride the tough G.P. Carnaghese with Bonomi, Cox and Kannemeyer joined by Diego Caccia, Mad Christensen, Alex Efimkin, Mauro Facci and Rodney Green.

The week ends with the Italian classic, the Giro del Veneto. Alberto Volpi will direct a team with Pedro Arreitunandia, Diego Caccia, Ryan Cox, Mads Christensen, Alex Efimkin, Mauro Facci, Tiaan Kannemeyer, Jeremy Maartens and Amets Txurruka.

Meanwhile, Barloworld wants to sign Martin Perdiguero as a replacement for Astarloa, who will leave for Team Milram at the end of the season. Thirty-three-year-old Perdiguero, who won the Clasica San Sebastian in 2004 and finished sixth in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege this year, will be seeking a new employer following the withdrawal of Phonak. Barloworld received wildcards to major events thanks to Astarloa and will be hoping that Periguero will have the same effect on event organisers.