Race officials at the Tour of Catalunya shortened stage three On Thursday as high winds and snow made conditions perilous and forced 39 riders to abandon the race. Veteran Australian cyclist Julian Dean, who was riding in his first race since breaking his shoulder last year, . Several top riders, including Andy Schleck and Alejandro Valverde, withdrew before the start. “That was the hardest day of my life,鈥 . 鈥淔rom the second climb, it was a matter of just surviving.”
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