English rider Tao Geoghegan Hart He has a broken hip and will need surgery after being involved in an accident on stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia.
The 2020 champion Ineos Grenadiers racer was involved in a multi-bike accident in wet conditions on a downhill descent about 70km from the race’s longest stage.
Geoghegan Hart, who was third in the general classification, was seen getting into an ambulance after receiving treatment by the roadside.
After being taken to the hospital for further examination, the Ineos Grenadiers team confirmed that Geoghegan Hart was ready for a long recovery period.
“Tao Geoghegan Hart was transported to a local hospital in Genoa just after he was involved in an accident during today’s 11th Stage of the Giro d’Italia,” an Ineos Grenadiers statement said.
“After further evaluation, imaging confirmed that Tao had a fracture in his left hip that required surgery.
“Tao, the thoughts and best wishes of all Grenadier friends are with you tonight. We wish you a speedy recovery and know you have what it takes to come back even stronger!”
Teammate and overall race leader Geraint Thomas he too got involved, but managed to keep up with his closest rival, Primoz Roglic.
Thomas said after the race: “We were jostling for the position as usual. UAE The man hit me. I don’t know exactly who was removed after me.
“We were almost at the same spot. Unfortunately, Tao was badly injured. Obviously a great loss.
“He was doing very well. He was in a really great position and it’s very unfortunate to lose him like that.”
Thomas retained the pink jersey as overall race leader by a two-second lead over Jumbo-Visma’s Roglic.
Racing for UAE Team Emirates, Pascal Ackermann crossed the line just ahead of Jonathan Milan to take his 11th stage victory, thanks to a photo finish at Tortona.
This year’s race has been fraught with problems due to a coronavirus outbreak, accompanied by bad weather and currently 13 drivers have withdrawn from the race.
Soudal Quick-Step drivers Jan Hirt, Josef Cerny, Louis Vervaeke and Mattia Cattaneo were the last to leave the race on Wednesday.
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