Ceramica Flaminia's riders affected by intestinal virus

Ceramica Flaminia's sprinter Enrico Rossi and Leonardo Giordani left Italy's Tirreno-Adriatico stage race prior to Sunday's time trial due to an intestinal virus.

"It was a difficult day for us today at Tirreno-Adriatico," read a press release. "Both Leonardo Giordani and Enrico Rossi were forced to return home to recover from the intestinal virus that knocked them out."

Rossi, brother of Riccardo Riccò's fiancee, has had a great early season with second in the GP Insubria and third in Trofeo Laigueglia. He continued his performances with a third place behind USA's Tyler Farrar in Friday's Tirreno-Adriatico stage three.

The Italian team, registered in Ireland, continues on in the seven-day race with two more stages remaining: 235 kilometres to Camerino and the final 169-kilometre stage to San Benedetto del Tronto.

"Giampaolo Caruso and Filippo Simeoni both have a fever and Mikhaylo Khalilov began to complain of various pains. We hope they are recovered for the Camerino stage."

The team's remaining six riders face today's two categorised climbs – Cingoli and Sasso Tetto – and many unclassified ascents.