Vine questioned continuing Giro after crash involving Landa, but finishes third in time trial next day: "The form is there"

In recent years, Vine has crashed often, and often with serious consequences. In the 2023 Vuelta a España, he suffered an elbow injury that forced him to withdraw. A year earlier, another crash in the Vuelta ended his race and cost him the chance to carry the mountains jersey to Madrid. In 2023, he also missed several months due to a knee injury sustained in the UAE Tour.

The DNSs and DNFs on his record have become too numerous to count, with the dramatic crash at the 2024 Tour of the Basque Country standing out as the low point. Vine broke two vertebrae and a cervical vertebra in that incident, sidelining him for months. That’s why he feels extra sympathy for Mikel Landa, who crashed in the same corner on day one and also fractured vertebrae. The Soudal-Quick Step rider had to abandon, while Vine was fortunately able to continue.

In his Instagram post, Jay Vine mainly reflected on Mikel Landa’s misfortune. Like Vine, the experienced climber will now be sidelined for a long time, especially during the tough early phase of recovery, lying still in a stable position. “My thoughts are with Mikel. It’s awful to see him out of the race. I know all too well what it’s like to break a vertebra, it’s incredibly tough. I wish Mikel a strong and speedy recovery.”

For Vine himself, it was also a matter of picking up the pieces. “This wasn’t the Grand Tour start I had in mind. I tried to save energy all day and stayed out of trouble, until the race exploded with 5 km to go and things got chaotic on the descent. A few riders crashed, including Landa right in front of me. I managed to avoid him, but got hit hard from behind. I wasn’t sure I could even start stage 2, but my knee feels much better now, so I’ll be there.”

Vine’s decision to continue turned out to be a golden one. In the individual time trial on day 2, the time trial specialist finished an impressive third, just 3 seconds behind winner Joshua Tarling and 2 seconds behind Primoz Roglic. “I was really worried about my knee last night and wasn’t sure if I should even start today. But after breakfast and the course recon, I felt I could still push, so I didn’t want to waste this opportunity in my favorite discipline.”

It turned out to be a huge success. “I prepared like I always do, and I’m very happy to come away with a podium spot. The form is definitely there, so I’m looking forward to the rest of this Giro and I’m incredibly grateful that my injuries weren’t more serious.”