Despite having a good day in Sunday's mountain stage, where Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) finished sixth, only 41 seconds behind stage winner Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), the Italian decided to quit the Vuelta. He returned to his home in Italy on Monday morning, leaving the Iberian peninsula from the airport in Granada.
The Spanish race started out badly for Cunego, who crashed in the first stage. He received 13 stitches and had to endure a round of antibiotics. He has recovered well and had a great race up and down the Alto de Monachil on stage 15. But in accordance with his staff, the Italian decided to return home in order to rest in quiet for a few days, with the intent to redevelop his form.
