While race chief Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) dominated the Giro d’Italia queen stage, ending almost 47 minutes behind him was Jenthe Biermans (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), who after a exceptional day managed to finish the 222km stage regardless of falling right into a ravine.
In one of many wonderful tales of the queen stage, the Belgian suffered what he described as “the heaviest fall of my profession” right into a 25-metre-deep ravine whereas descending the Passo del Mortirolo the place an actual panic set in having not solely harm himself however misplaced his radio.
“I misjudged a bend throughout the descent. The end result was a really heavy fall. The heaviest fall of my profession,” Biermans instructed Sporza on the end.
“It was actually panic. The first second I could not transfer anymore.
“I continued to tumble after my fall and finally got here to a cease round a tree. I additionally misplaced my communication throughout the fall, so that they [Arkéa-B&B Hotels] did not discover me immediately.”
Thankfully, different groups had been available to make sure Bierman’s security regardless of his crash being missed by the TV cameras, with the Belgian extremely grateful for many who stopped to examine on and assist him.
“Four groups instantly got here searching for me, I used to be at the very least 25-30 meters deep in a ravine,” detailed Biermans.
“[Alpecin-Deceuninck sports director] Gianni Meersman and the lads from Intermarché-Wanty, amongst others, got here instantly. I want to thank them.”
Stunningly, Biermans wasn’t too badly harm to proceed the day, bravely remounting with the brutally robust Passo di Foscagno and Mottolino (Livigno) summit end in his means of staying on the Giro. But the sprinter managed it alongside others within the closing groupetto combating for survival.
“Just a few males helped me climb up. We took our time for a very long time. I used to be fortunate that I used to be not within the final group on the time,” mentioned Biermans.
“I climbed again on the bike after which rode on with the final gruppetto. I crossed the road because of plenty of assist from different boys and character.”
There was nonetheless plenty of ache for the Belgian, nevertheless, with a call on his continued participation more likely to be made tomorrow morning earlier than stage 16.
Today’s well-timed relaxation day will give the workforce an opportunity to examine his accidents and will permit him a while to get better.
“Now we’re going to do checks and hope that there aren’t any fractures. My hip, decrease again and foot actually do not feel good,” completed Biermans.
If Biermans is to proceed, he’ll be one in all two sprinters on Arkéa-B&B Hotels vying for good leads to the 2 potential remaining dash levels 18 and 21 alongside David Dekker, having taken fourth on stage 3.
What’s sure is that Biermans will not neglect stage 15 of the 2024 Giro d’Italia for a very long time.
