A mass pile-up with 600m to go marred the bunch sprint at the end of stage one of the Giro d’Italia on Friday.
Only 11 riders contested the finish in Burgas, Bulgaria, where Paul Magnier (Soudal-Quick Step) won the stage and the race’s first pink jersey.
🔻An action-packed final kilometer: chaos, drama and an incredibly tight sprint finish!🔻Ultimi 1000 m da brividi tra imprevisti e uno sprint tiratissimo!⏪ The @continentaltire Ultimo Kilometro#GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/3Q9pZx0cEEMay 8, 2026
It is uncertain if any riders were seriously injured in the crash. Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets) was pictured in discomfort as he finished the stage; however his team later confirmed he had “no urgent issues”.
Likewise, Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Premier Tech) crossed the line with road rash and a ripped skinsuit, but was found to “seem okay” after an initial team medical check.
There will be no time losses because of the crash. UCI rules stipulate that any riders affected by a crash in the final 3km of a stage are granted the same time as the stage winner.
Also speaking to TNT Sports after the finish line, Unibet Rose Rockets rider Tomáš Kopecký said: “Of course we knew before that it was going to be a really hectic final…. With the final k[ilometre] getting narrower, everyone was basically drag racing towards the final k.”
This article will be updated as teams issue injury statements.
