A 34 kilometre climb to the finish line after two other leg burning ascents - that challenge in the 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia proved too much for Bathurst cyclist Mark Renshaw.
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The 36-year-old is no stranger to the challenges of professional road cycling's biggest events - this was his fifth participation in the Giro and 17th GrandTour - and Renshaw had worked hard on his fitness after breaking his pelvis during the pre-season.
During the first fortnight in Italy, Renshaw had ridden to promote the chances of his Team Dimension Data team-mates in bunch sprints but as the mountains stages arrived, things got tougher.
The 196 kilometre 13th stage from Pinerolo to Ceresole Reale came after Renshaw had already pushed his legs through 2,028km in this year's Giro.
It featured three categorised climbs - the 13.7km Colle del Lys, 14.5km Pian del Lupo and 34km haul up Lago Serru to the finish line.
Renshaw battled on but midway through the stage, pulled the plug. He was one of four riders who did not complete the stage, while it was even a hard day for victor Ilnur Zakarin as he took five hours, 34 minutes and 40 seconds to reach the finish.
"I gave everything since my broken pelvis in December to be ready for the first 11 days here with Team Di Data boys," Renshaw tweeted.
"Time to head home and recover for the next races!"
Renshaw's next assignment has not yet been revealed.
