PIOMBINO, Italy (Reuters) May 11 - Teams competing in the Giro D'Italia believe Leopard Trek made the right decision to quit the tour following the death of their Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt following a crash on Monday.
"It's only logical, it would have been a nightmare for them to continue," Sky team director Sean Yates told Reuters on Wednesday.
"When something like that happens, it's not at all surprising that a team leaves. The rest of us will just keep plugging away."
Yates' Sky squad made the same decision to pull out of last year's Tour of Spain after team massage therapist Txema Gonzalez died in the first week of the race after contracting a bacterial infection.
"In their place, I would have done the same thing," added HTC-Highroad sporting director Valerio Piva, whose team won the opening team trial and led the race for two days.
"It's a very difficult moment, but everybody respects their decision. It was a decision that the riders took and it was one that I understand completely.
"A race is supposed to be a joyful event, and after something like this, it's very hard to remain focussed.
"Better to get home, be with your family and start off again further down the line."
The Tour of Italy continues on Wednesday with a 191-kilometre stage from Piombino to Orvieto. Britain's David Millar is the race leader
"It's only logical, it would have been a nightmare for them to continue," Sky team director Sean Yates told Reuters on Wednesday.
"When something like that happens, it's not at all surprising that a team leaves. The rest of us will just keep plugging away."
Yates' Sky squad made the same decision to pull out of last year's Tour of Spain after team massage therapist Txema Gonzalez died in the first week of the race after contracting a bacterial infection.
"In their place, I would have done the same thing," added HTC-Highroad sporting director Valerio Piva, whose team won the opening team trial and led the race for two days.
"It's a very difficult moment, but everybody respects their decision. It was a decision that the riders took and it was one that I understand completely.
"A race is supposed to be a joyful event, and after something like this, it's very hard to remain focussed.
"Better to get home, be with your family and start off again further down the line."
The Tour of Italy continues on Wednesday with a 191-kilometre stage from Piombino to Orvieto. Britain's David Millar is the race leader
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