Sprinters Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) and Robbie McEwen (Katusha) decided not to start today's fifteenth stage of the Giro d'Italia. The stage finishes atop Monte Zoncolan, regarded as one of the toughest climbs in cycling, and marks the second day in the mountains of what will be an incredibly tough week.
McEwen has been working hard to get back to his best following a tough 2009 plagued with injury. The Australian came back with a win in the Trofeo Mallorca earlier this year, finished second to Farrar in the Scheldeprijs last month, but was unable to win a stage in this year's Giro d' Italia. His best finish was fourth in stage 10.
The Garmin-Transitions rider had a very successful Giro d'Italia, winning two stages and wearing the red points jersey for several days. Farrar won a stage in Vuelta a España last year, and his additional Grand Tour stage victories will give him confidence going into the Tour de France this July. Farrar is emerging as a the number one threat to Mark Cavendish's (HTC-Columbia) sprint crown.