The Colorado-based team Garmin-Barracuda has lost one of their top competitors after the Giro d'Italia race jury disqualified Robbie Hunter -- along with Dominique Rollin (FDJ-BigMat), Ivan Velasco (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Andrea Guardini (Farnese-Selle Italia). According to Velo News, the disqualifications may have been a result of the riders taking pulls from their respective team cars during Stage 20.

Garmin-Barracuda officials have been reserved as details from the disqualification are still pending:

"I do not want to comment until I know all the facts," said Garmin sport director Charlie Wegelius. "Robbie Hunter shouldn’t have gotten back on his bike (Friday) in all reasonableness. He smashed a wooden pole, but he stayed in the race today because he was so dedicated to the team and to Ryder."

Hunter slid into a barrier on Friday, but continued despite the crash. He placed second in Stage 6 and fourth in Stage 18.

For more on the 2012 Giro d'Italia, stick with SB Nation Denver and visit cycling blog Podium Cafe.