A team spokesman this morning announced general classification favorite Rigoberto Uran has been forced to exit this year's Vuelta a Espana due to asthmatic bronchitis, which has been negatively affecting his performance in week two of the Vuelta.

"We were hoping that the second rest day would help, but in the last 24 hours the situation has become even worse for me," Uran explained to RoadCycling.com. "I can't race under these conditions. I'm obviously really disappointed, but this really is the wisest decision."

A team spokesman said Uran will fly to Belgium next week in order to undergo further medical exams with specialists, monitored by the team's own medical staff.

"The team and I have agreed that I'll be in Belgium next week to get a better picture of the nature of this problem," Uran explained. "Now the objective is to try to recover in time for the World Championships and be useful to the team for the World Championship Team Time Trial that will open the rainbow series."

Uran, himself, has been looking forward to helping his team defend its team time trial world champion title and hopes the bronchitis won't jeopardize his participation.

"Fundamentally I'm in good shape so I'd really like to be there (in the World Championship team time trial). Of course, my participation will depend on what the test results say these next few days. The team and I don't want to take any risks at the end of the season if the bronchial problems should continue."

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