Simon Yates of the United Kingdom has pulled out of the Giro d’Italia due to an ongoing knee problem, with Santiago Buitrago winning stage 17.

Yates, 29, had won two stages in Italy before crashing on the fourth stage to Mount Etna.

The Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider, however, was plagued by continuous pain and had to abandon the race on stage 17.

The knee pain worsened despite daily rehabilitation and Simon’s perseverance, according to team doctor Matteo Beltemacchi.

Yates was 21st in the general classification, over half an hour behind race leader Richard Carapaz, after falling off the pace on stage nine’s Blockhaus climb, losing over 11 minutes.

Buitrago won the 165-kilometer stage 17 ride from Ponte di Legno to Lavarone, retaining the pink jersey.

With four stages remaining, he is three seconds ahead of Australian Jai Hindley.

“It’s been a pretty difficult stage,” Carapaz remarked.

“I believe we are content. Every day, everything is becoming clearer in the general classification, and I’m grateful to keep the jersey for another day.”

“Tomorrow will be crucial; we need to get through the next days; no day is simple, and we’ve got a long weekend ahead of us.”

Stage 18 is a 146-kilometer ride from Borgo Valsugana to Treviso on Thursday.