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Shocking scenes as cyclists involved in high-speed crash with pedestrian at Italian time trial

Wednesday’s opening stage of Tirreno-Adriatico featured a crash involving the Bora-Hansgrohe team and a spectator.

Updated at 10.00pm

POLISH CYCLIST RAFAL Majka will continue at Tirreno-Adriatico despite a major crash with a pedestrian during the opening stage on Wednesday.

Majka — who is team-mates with Irish sprinter Sam Bennett — came into contact with the spectator 3.5 kilometres into the 21.5km time trial on day one in Italy, the Bora-Hansgrohe team unable to avoid the collision at a pedestrian crossing.

Imago 20190313 Oscar Gatto and Rafał Majka. Imago / PA Images Imago / PA Images / PA Images

Both Majka and Oscar Gatto crashed in the incident but have not needed to abandon the race heading into stage two on Thursday.

“We had an unlucky day, marred by a bad crash,” said team doctor Jan-Niklas Droste. “Oscar Gatto has quite a lot of bruises while Rafal Majka went down hard.

“He [Majka] has hematomas and abrasions on his head and we will have to run additional tests and diagnostics in order to evaluate whether the impact caused a concussion or not.”

Team sports director Enrico Poitschke added: “Unfortunately, we had a very bad day. Just 3.5km into the stage, a spectator crashed into the team, taking down two riders and splitting up the squad. 

“From then on our guys weren’t in the best mood but still gave a fight.

“The good news is that Rafal Majka is set to continue the race. He doesn’t look good after the crash but he will be there.

“Our chances at the GC are probably gone now but we will try to fight for, possibly, a stage win that will keep our spirits high. Still, it was a very bad day for us.” 

The pedestrian landed heavily and was taken to hospital for treatment, however is reportedly not in a life-threatening condition.

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    Mute Philip Maher
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    Dec 10th 2015, 9:38 PM

    Thats about as much fun as theyll have all season

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    Mute Barry Ward
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    Dec 10th 2015, 9:35 PM

    That laugh!

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Dec 10th 2015, 11:59 PM

    Pathetic us villa fans ain’t fu*king laughing

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    Mute ciaran
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    Dec 11th 2015, 7:04 AM

    Brilliant laugh , proper dressing room type banter .

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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
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    Dec 11th 2015, 7:01 AM

    Do you know what would be a better gift? Winning a few feckin’ games perhaps!!

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    Mute Donncha Ó Ríordáin
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    Dec 11th 2015, 8:51 AM

    so the gift giving was good? I’m confused because the headline said it wasn’t.

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    Mute Ryan
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    Dec 11th 2015, 5:05 AM

    Aw god this is worse than waking up in a wheelie bin

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