Stevie Williams has been forced to abandon La Vuelta a Espana with a knee issue.

Williams’ Team Bahrain McLaren said the 24-year-old would not start Saturday’s stage 11 from Villaviciosa to Alto de la Farrapona as a precaution.

The Aberystwyth-born rider was making his Grand Tour debut after a career-saving knee operation last November.

https://twitter.com/BahrainMcLaren/status/1322533365753458688

Williams, who was playing a support role in the team, was lying in 155th spot after 10 of the scheduled 18 stages.

Team-mate and fellow Welsh rider Scott Davies is continuing. He is currently in 119th spot.

Williams had seen his career put on hold for 18-months by a mystery knee problem shortly after signing for Team Bahrain McLaren – one of the sport’s top teams.

Surgeons had told him the rare condition could put an end to his career but a collaboration between his team and the Sport Wales Institute got him back on the road.

“I’m glad I stuck at it,” Williams told Dai Sport’s Owen Morgan before he lined up for his Grand Tour bow.

“As I’ve said a number of times, Bahrain McLaren and Sport Wales . . . that collaboration was fantastic. Without that support I would be nowhere near where I am now.

“For a young lad it was really important to have that support. I’m just really grateful to everyone.”