Cavendish pulled out of Giro after hat-trick

FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters) - Mark Cavendish's Giro d'Italia campaign ended Friday when the Briton was pulled out of this year's race after completing a hat-trick of individual victories on the 13th stage, his team said.

With some tough mountain stages coming up, Team Columbia said they preferred to remove the sprinter from the Giro so he could concentrate on preparing for July's Tour de France.

"He has had a very successful couple of weeks at the Giro but he is still young and he has a long career ahead of him," team manager Rolf Aldag told Columbia's website (www.highroadsports.com).

"He has already raced 55 days this year and it is our view that the best thing for Mark is to take some recovery now before the Tour."

As well as winning three individual stages, he also helped Colombia win the team time trial that opened the centenary edition of race.

Cavendish, who turned 24 Thursday, also became the first Briton to wear the Giro leader's pink jersey at the start of the race.