Geraint Thomas’ bid for a second straight podium end within the Giro d’Italia got here perilously near catastrophe on stage 19 because the Welshman crashed within the closing kilometres and wanted a substitute bike.
Thomas touched wheels with fellow GC contender Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) with some six kilometres to go, too removed from the end for any time loss to be mechanically neutralised.
He swiftly remounted and after UAE Team Emirates Rafal Majka gestured to the bunch to decelerate, was in a position to regain contact with the peloton.
Race chief Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) had an incident-free stage, together with his general benefit of seven:42 remaining fully intact on a hilly trek from Montegliano to Sappada. The day’s honours went to breakaway Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale).
The Giro runner-up in 2023, Thomas himself stays in third place general, 8:04 again, with simply two days racing to go.
“I feel it reveals that everyone has respect for everybody and it isn’t obligatory,” Pogačar stated of not forcing the tempo. “I feel no person – I imply some individuals, sure however right here on this group, no person desires to cross Thomas in that form of manner.
“There’s numerous respect and I hope he is OK after the crash – it was unlucky, you recognize in spite of everything day stepping into management after which this silly second in the long run, however I hope he is OK and that we are able to have an amazing present tomorrow.”
More later…