Biniam Girmay out of 2024 Giro d'Italia after two big crashes in space of 6km on wet roads on Stage 4
ByTNT Sports
Published 07/05/2024 at 15:43 GMT+1
Biniam Girmay's hunt for another stage win at the Giro d'Italia is over after a nightmare spell on Stage 4. The Eritrean, who became the first Black African to win a stage at a Grand Tour in 2022, was caught up in a nasty crash with 68km remaining, then slid out again less than 6km later as the wet roads caused havoc. Stream the cycling season, including the Giro d'Italia, live on discovery+.
'Done' - Girmay crashes twice inside 6km as Giro bid ends
Video credit: TNT Sports
Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty) abandoned the 2024 Giro d'Italia after two big crashes in the space of six kilometres on Stage 4.
The Eritrean first hit the deck in a big pile-up with 68km remaining on Tuesday's run from Acqui Terme to Andora, which also saw GC hopeful Ben O'Connor (Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale) and sprinter Fernando Gaviria (Movistar) go down.
Girmay was left with a big gash on his right hip but eventually hobbled back onto his bike, only to crash again on wet roads with 62km to go.
"He looked like he was coming in a little bit shallow into that corner, not being able to get the apex," Robbie McEwen, a 12-time stage winner at the Giro, said on Eurosport commentary about the second crash.
"It's often the way after you've had a crash, you're just not riding quite the same. It actually makes it worse the more careful you are in that situation, you tend just to make mistakes."
After being treated by medics on the roadside, Girmay's team pulled him out of the race.
Girmay became the first Black African to win a stage of a Grand Tour with victory at the Giro in 2022.
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Stream the cycling season, including the Giro d'Italia, live on discovery+
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