Following a multi-bike accident in wet conditions on a downhill descent during stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia, British rider Tao Geoghegan Hart, the 2020 champion, suffered a hip fracture and will require surgery. With approximately 70km of the race’s longest leg remaining, Geoghegan Hart, who finished third in the overall standings, was pictured being loaded into an ambulance after receiving roadside treatment.
Geoghegan Hart was expected to require a prolonged period of recuperation, according to the Ineos Grenadiers team, following his hospitalisation for additional assessments.
“Immediately following his involvement in a crash during today’s Stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia, Tao Geoghegan Hart was transported to a local hospital in Genoa,” a statement from Ineos Grenadiers stated.
“After further assessment, imaging confirmed that Tao had sustained a fracture of the left hip which will require surgery.”Tao, you have all of your fellow Grenadiers’ warmest wishes and thoughts with you tonight.
Geraint Thomas, the teammate and overall race leader, We hope you heal quickly and are confident in your ability to bounce back even stronger.”was also engaged in the collision, although he and the closest rival, Primoz Roglic, were able to continue.
Following the race, Thomas stated, “As usual, we were fighting for position when a guy from the UAE crashed next to me.” I’m not sure who was removed directly after me.We were essentially in the same location. Tao, regrettably, has serious injuries. Clearly, this is a significant loss. “He was progressing really nicely. It’s terribly tragic that he passed away in this manner because he was in a really excellent situation.”
Thomas held onto the pink jersey as the overall race leader, leading Jumbo-Visma’s Roglic by two seconds.
Riding for UAE Team Emirates, Pascal Ackermann won stage 11 thanks to a photo finish in Tortona, where he crossed the finish line slightly ahead of Jonathan Milan.
A coronavirus outbreak coupled with unfavourable weather conditions has caused 13 cyclists to quit from this year’s event.
The last riders to withdraw on Wednesday were Jan Hirt, Josef Cerny, Louis Vervaeke, and Mattia Cattaneo of Soudal Quick-Step.
