Stage 3 winner Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) is hoping the primary Giro d’Italia relaxation day “will do wonders” for his accidents after crashing arduous within the stage 7 particular person time trial.
The Belgian’s incident wasn’t noticed on the published on account of not being a contender for the stage however photographs of Merlier and feedback from himself and crew employees revealed that he had gone down and sustained extra than simply superficial accidents.
“Tim fell fairly arduous in the course of the time trial on a quick part on account of a bump within the highway and tumbled over his handlebars. His total facet is open. He is grazed from ankle to elbow,” mentioned sports activities director Iljo Keisse to Het Laatste Nieuws.
Merlier was crucial of the circumstances he went down in in the course of the solo effort into Perugia on a stage that he was merely attempting to get by way of to avoid wasting himself for the subsequent dash alternatives and appeared dejected explaining the crash earlier than stage 9.
“It’s a disgrace as a result of it was a extremely silly crash. I used to be by myself on the TT bike, useless simple after which you might have a silly crash on the straight,” Merlier informed Eurosport.
Merlier might have been one of many contenders for right this moment’s stage 9 which finishes in Naples however after happening so closely, it appears much less possible that he’ll survive the punchy hills that line the ultimate 40km and it’ll simply be a day to get round safely.
“Everything is a bit painful, that’s regular I feel. I don’t really feel that prepared however I’ll give it a strive. If I really feel that I’m not alright, then I’ll seek for second to let it go,” he informed the broadcaster.
Soudal-QuickStep anticipate Alpecin to tempo full gasoline for Kaden Groves into Naples as a result of nature of the hilly parcours however fortunately for Merlier, even when he can’t observe, a relaxation day will come tomorrow permitting him to reset for the second week.
“I’ve fairly a little bit of ache in my groin. But I’m not the one one within the pack both, I feel,” Merlier informed Het Nieuwsblad. “Yesterday I survived a tricky mountain stage the day after my fall, now I hope that tomorrow’s relaxation day will do wonders.”
Merlier is likely one of the two bunch dash winners from this yr’s Giro alongside Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) after he claimed the third stage in a decent end forward of the Italian into Fossano.
