Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Adam Yates’ twin brother Simon won last year’s Giro d’Italia
British rider Adam Yates endured a catastrophic stage two at the Giro d’Italia, losing nearly 14 minutes to his rivals following a massive crash on a wet descent that involved around 30 riders. The incident also sent two of his teammates to the hospital.
The 33-year-old UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider, considered a contender for the overall pink jersey, emerged bloodied and mud-covered after hitting an Armco barrier at high speed. Team medical staff will assess him before deciding whether he can continue the race, but his hopes of matching twin brother Simon’s stunning overall victory from last year are effectively dashed.
The 221km stage to Veliko Tarnovo, the second of three in Bulgaria as part of the Grande Partenza, was won in a reduced-group sprint by Uruguay’s Guillermo Thomas Silva (XDS-Astana), ahead of Germany’s Florian Stork (Tudor Pro-cycling) and Italy’s Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek).
Yates’ teammates, Australian Jay Vine and Spaniard Marc Soler, abandoned the race after the crash and were taken to hospital, UAE team boss Mauro Gianetti told TNT Sports.
The peloton of around 183 riders approached a right-hand downhill corner at about 60 km/h. Soler was the first to fall after his wheels slid out on the wet surface, triggering a huge pile-up that also involved Britain’s Jake Stewart of NSN Cycling. Several riders suffered severe skin burns and torn Lycra in the impact, leading to the race being neutralized for several kilometers.
Similar accidents have occurred at the Giro in recent years, as spring rain creates treacherous conditions for riders under pressure to avoid losing time.
Overall pink jersey favorite Jonas Vingegaard avoided the crash with 21km remaining and joined a small breakaway group that led much of the latter stages. He eventually finished 21st with the same time after a larger chasing group caught him in the final meters.
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Yates crossed the line 13 minutes 46 seconds behind the front of the race
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Several riders suffered cuts and ripped Lycra, including another of Yates’ teammates, Jhonatan Narvaez
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: The race was neutralized after the crash
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Silva took his first Grand Tour stage win and with it the legendary overall leader’s pink jersey
Giro d’Italia Stage 2 Results
1. Guillermo Thomas Silva (URU/XDS-Astana) 5hrs 39mins 25 secs
2. Florian Stork (GER/Tudor Pro Cycling) same time
3. Giulio Ciccone (ITA/Lidl-Trek) same time
4. Christian Scaroni (ITA/XDS Astana) same time
5. Giulio Pellizzari (ITA/Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe) same time
6. Matteo Sobrero (ITA/Lidl-Trek) same time
7. Jan Christen (SWI/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) same time
8. Martin Tjotta (NOR/Uno-X Mobility) same time
9. Mathys Rondel (FRA/Tudor Pro Cycling) same time
10. Jai Hindley (AUS/Red Bull BORA-Hansgrohe) same time
General Classification After Two Stages
1. Guillermo Silva Thomas (URU/XDS-Astana) 9hrs 23secs
2. Florian Stork (GER/Tudor Pro Cycling) +4secs
3. Egan Bernal (COL/Netcompany INEOS) same time
4. Thymen Arensman (NED/Netcompany INEOS) +6secs
5. Giulio Ciccone (ITA/Lidl-Trek) same time
6. Jan Christen (DEN/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +10secs
7. Johannes Kuls (details as per original)