Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates-XRG) slipped out at excessive velocity on a bit of gravel highway throughout Strade Bianche in a spectacular crash with 49.5km to go.
Pogačar was on the assault with Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) and Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers), the trio main a chase group by 1:30, near the Colle Pinzuto gravel sector, when Pogačar went right into a curve too shortly.
His bike slipped away from him and he went down laborious on his left hip earlier than sliding throughout the asphalt and into the grassy verge together with the highway. When he emerged, his left leg and arm have been coated in highway rash and his world champion’s skinsuit torn up.
Pogačar obtained up and started to chase however quickly wanted a motorcycle change. He was 30 seconds down on Pidcock however surged again to Swift on the Colle Pinzuto climb.
When the hole fell to fifteen seconds, Pidcock opted to attend for Pogačar to proceed their duel on the roads of Strade Bianche heading into the ultimate 45km.
More to come back.
