🎥 Worst possible start after the rest day: Roglic crashes during soaking wet time trial recon, team boss gives update

It was already clear that the weather in Tuscany wouldn’t be ideal. Heavy rain had been forecast, especially in the afternoon. There was still hope that early starters might ride in dry conditions, but that hope has vanished: the roads were already extremely wet during recon. The race against the clock is shaping up to be an even tougher challenge than it already was.

That makes recon even more important. Most of the course is flat and straightforward, but the beginning does include a few turns. Midway through the stage, there's also a small descent with a series of hairpin bends. If water accumulates there, it can become extremely dangerous. Knowing which corners pose the greatest risk could be crucial, not just for the stage, but for the rest of the Giro.

Roglic wanted to scout where the dangers were on the course, but he found out the hard way. The Slovenian rider slid out in a corner near the finish in Pisa. Reportedly, the crash wasn’t serious, and footage shows the unlucky Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe leader quickly getting back on his bike. He was able to finish his recon ride, but it was far from ideal. Whether he sustained any injuries is still unclear.

Team director Patxi Vila provided an update in front of Eurosport’s camera. “With about one and a half kilometers to go, he lost grip with his front wheel in a right-hand turn,” said the Spaniard. “It happened at very low speed, so all good. If it dries up a bit today, this course is actually perfect.”

Roglic had also crashed on Sunday during the gravel stage to Siena. “Those wounds are worse than the ones from today’s crash,” Vila said. “Still, he was able to train well yesterday, both on the road bike and the time trial bike. Of course, crashing is never pleasant, but we’re all feeling positive. He’s moving well, and we’re looking forward to today. We’re hoping for a result as good as in Albania.”