Cyclist in some way finishes race after crashing 25m down ravine in ‘heaviest fall’
Belgian rider Jenthe Biermans was able to finish Stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia despite plunging 25 metres down a ravine.
Biermans, 28, was descending the fearsome Passo del Mortirolo during the queen stage of this year’s tour of Italy. He explained: “It was the heaviest fall of my career. I misjudged a bend during the descent.
“Four teams immediately came looking for me, I was at least 25-30 meters deep in a ravine. Gianni Meersman and the men from Intermarche-Wanty [a rival team], among others, came immediately. I would like to thank them.”
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Biermans had been initially unable to move when he crashed into the ravine. He added “It was really painful. The first moment I couldn’t move anymore.”
However, amazingly he got back on his bike and climbed the final mountain of the day to the finish. “I continued to tumble after my fall and eventually came to a stop around a tree. I also lost my communication during the fall, so they didn’t find me right away.
What do you think of Jenthe Biermans getting back on his bike after the fall? Let us know in the comments section below
(Image: Getty Images)
“A few men helped me climb up. We took our time. I was lucky that I was not in the last group at the time. I climbed back on the bike and then rode on with the last gruppetto [the last group on the road].
“I crossed the line thanks to a lot of support from other boys and character.”
Battered and bruised, Biermans crossed the finish line almost 47 minutes after Tadej Pogacar stamped his authority on the race.
(Image: Getty Images)
Pogacar, clad in the leader’s pink jersey, took flight on the slopes of the final climb of the day, the Passo di Foscagno – leaving his rivals in the dust as he picked off riders from the breakaway.
The Slovenian is gunning for history this season, looking to win the Giro and the Tour de France in the same season. With one week to go in the Giro, Pogacar now commands a resounding almost seven-minute lead over Welshman Geraint Thomas.
