Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) was involved in a crash at the Giro d’Italia after a stray dog ran into the road in the middle of the peloton during stage five.
The Belgian was sent crashing to the floor with 152 kilometres to go on the rain soaked stage five between Atripalda and Salerno, when the dog ran into the main field before doubling back and returning to the pavement.
Several of his teammates including Louis Vervaeke were immediately on the scene to help their leader, helping to collect his bike from the road before gathering around him to check on his health.
Evenepoel initially appeared to be in some discomfort, sitting on the roadside for a few minutes as he was checked over by staff from his Soudal Quick-Step team. He was then helped to his feet before getting back onto his bike and pushing off once more.
The crash came after the Belgian's teammate Davide Ballerini was the first to be brought down by the dog, before other riders were then brought down. Evenepoel fell on the right hand side of the road, before moving himself onto the gravel pavement to be assessed by his team.
After winning the stage one individual time trial, Evenepoel was leading the race until yesterday when Andreas Leknessund (DSM) took over wearing the pink jersey. However, the Belgian is back in his usual rainbow bands of the world champion today.
¡AL SUELO @EvenepoelRemco! 🚨🚨🚴♂️ Le ha costado un buen rato al belga volver a montarse en la bicicleta con aparentes gestos de dolor📺💻📲 Sigue la quinta etapa del @giroditalia en #E1 y en la APP de @Eurosport_ES pic.twitter.com/0C4wA2SasqMay 10, 2023
