Tao Geoghegan Hart crashed on a rain-soaked road and left the Giro d’Italia on a stretcher during the 11th stage Wednesday, depriving the race of another overall contender three days after Remco Evenepoel tested positive for the coronavirus.
Geoghegan Hart, who won the race in 2020, stood third overall entering the stage, five seconds behind overall leader and Ineos Grenadiers teammate Geraint Thomas.
The entire Ineos team, plus Primoz Roglic, were involved in a crash with 70 kilometers to go. While Thomas and Roglic quickly got up and got going again, Geoghegan Hart was loaded into an ambulance.
Crash in the bunch, @taogeoghegan and the Maglia Rosa are involved
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Caduta in gruppo. @taogeoghegan e la Maglia Rosa a terra#Giro #GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/KeUeNko5eF— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 17, 2023
“After further assessment, imaging confirmed that Tao had sustained a fracture of the left hip which will require surgery,” Ineos stated on social media.
“I’m devastated this is how my Giro ended. Thankyou all for your messages and support,” Hart shared in a Twitter message. “I was so excited about the remainder of this race and loving every minute of it. Arrivederci Giro d’Italia!”.
