British rider Adam Yates has been pulled out of the Giro d’Italia after suffering concussion following a crash on stage two.
The 33-year-old sustained abrasions and a laceration to his left ear during an incident involving almost 30 riders on Saturday’s rain-soaked 221 km route from Burgas to Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria.
Yates, who hit a barrier at high speed, eventually finished almost 14 minutes behind the leading pack after he battled on in a blood-stained kit. His UAE Team Emirates team-mates Jay Vine and Marc Soler were also injured.
Australian Vine suffered a concussion and an elbow fracture, while Spaniard Soler has a pelvic fracture. All three riders are under medical observation and will travel home in the coming days to continue their recovery.
An update from the team’s medical director Adriano Rotunno read: “Adam Yates suffered heavy abrasions and a laceration to his left ear. He was initially assessed on site for concussion, and cleared to continue, but subsequently he has shown delayed concussive symptoms.”
Yates did not take the start for stage three, which was won by flying Frenchman Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step).
Magnier had sprinted to success on the opening day of the race and again showed off his finishing kick as he reeled in favourite Jonathan Milan in the final metres in another significant victory for the talented 22-year-old.
There was no change in the general classification, with stage two winner Guillermo Thomas Silva holding onto the leader’s jersey, four seconds ahead of Florian Stark and Egan Bernal.
PA
